Does Touching Toads Cause Warts?
Ummmm…no. Frogs and Toads do not give people warts. Plantar warts are benign growths (not cancerous) that develop most commonly on the bottom of your feet caused by direct contact with the human papilloma virus (HPV) — a common virus found in moist areas such as around
swimming pools and locker rooms. Some people are more susceptible than others to HPV and not everyone will develop plantar warts if they come into contact with the virus. People with breaks in the skin on the feet are at a higher risk for plantar warts.
Foot Doctor Discusses Symptoms of Plantar Warts
Plantar warts most often develop on the bottom of the foot — the heel or the ball of the foot — causing sharp, burning pain. They can appear as a single wart (solitary) or a cluster of warts (mosaic). Common symptoms may include:
- Pain or discomfort when walking or standing
- Hard growths with well-defined boundaries that may resemble a callus
- Tiny black specks (clotted blood vessels) that often appear on the surface of the wart
- Petty’s Tips for Preventing Plantar Warts
Most warts will eventually disappear with home care acid treatments such as 17% salicylic acid and do not require medical treatment. You can take steps to prevent, reduce the spreading, and treat plantar warts, which include:
- Changing your shoes and socks daily
- Keeping your feet clean and dry
- Avoid picking at warts as the virus may spread
- Avoid direct contact with an individual who has plantar warts
- Check your child’s feet periodically
- Refrain from walking barefoot, especially in public areas like showers, swimming pools and locker rooms
- Never ignore skin growths or changes in your skin
Without treatment, plantar warts can grow, spread and prompt new warts to grow as fast as the old ones disappear. If you can’t confidently identify a growth on your foot, visit Family Foot & Ankle Centers to ensure a correct diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment at one of our offices in Corsicana, Ennis or Waxahachie can decrease the risk of the wart spreading and multiplying.
