Plantar Wart Removal
Anyone who has contracted warts on their feet, know how painful an experience it can sometimes be. So, it hardly comes as a surprise to find that those who suffer from warts caused by the Human Papilloma virus (commonly referred to as HPV), wish to find out all they can about plantar wart removal.
Plantar wart removal can be carried out in myriad ways. The treatment option chosen would depend on the extent of the infection, the medical history of the person in question, certain physiological factors and his/her personal preferences; all of which would be given due consideration by the physician consulted.
One of the most basic treatment options for plantar wart removal is a procedure known as Keratolysis. Although this sounds quite complex, it simply refers to the peeling of dead skin cells, by means of Salicylic acid or Trichloroacetic acid; which many now opt to do.
Plantar wart removal can also be carried out through immunotherapy. Here, an attempt is made to remove the underlying virus, by injecting intralesional antigens, so as to trigger a host immune response to the afore-mentioned virus.
Certain topical ointments also can be used for plantar wart removal. These generally include certain chemotherapy agents, some retinoid creams and antibiotics such as Bleomycin.
A popular home treatment option for the removal of plantar warts is the wrapping of the wart(s) and immediate surrounding skin, in plastic; so as to facilitate the degeneration of the wart(s) by cutting off its oxygen supply. However, this method of plantar wart removal can stretch out well over a fortnight and is best used in combination with other treatment options, for optimal results.
When less intrusive methods fail, surgery is always at hand, for plantar wart removal. The types of surgery most commonly used in plantar wart removal include cryosurgery, laser surgery, cauterization and surgical excision, to name but a few. To elaborate further; cryosurgery refers to the application of extreme cold to destroy diseased skin tissue (with liquid nitrogen playing a vital role in this process); whilst laser surgery incorporates pulse dyed laser therapy, which has indeed proven to be effective in the fight against stubborn plantar warts. The terms “cauterization and surgical excision” are almost self explanatory, and although its efficacy has been proven time and again, those who opt for such procedures may have to deal with scarring and keloids, later on.
However, as the popular adage states “prevention is better than cure”, and this holds true in the case of plantar warts too. For instance, by following certain precautionary guidelines, such not sharing socks and shoes with others, wearing protective foot gear in communal changing rooms and public places, and by avoiding direct contact with those already infected with HPV; people can avoid contracting plantar warts altogether (for the most part at least); and then plantar wart removal would probably be the last thing on their minds!
