Black Foot Wart

Warts that grow on the sole of your foot are called plantar warts and are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is known to cause many other types of warts depending on its different virus strains. Often alarming at first, plantar warts are not dangerous but can be prevented and treated if necessary.

Identification

• A good way to identify a plantar wart is its rough and crusty texture and its flat surface. The black spot that is sometimes present in the middle of a plantar wart is due to dried up capillary vessels, so the wart is technically not black but rather pale or skin-colored. The American Academy of Dermatology refers to plantar warts that grow in clusters as mosaic warts. Plantar warts may or may not be painful and are often found on the ball and heel of the foot, or on the underside of the great toe.

Prevalence

• It is possible to contract warts no matter what your age is, but according to skinsight.com, plantar warts are most common in 12- to 16-year-olds. It is also estimated that 10 percent of the general population and as much as 20 percent of schoolchildren have plantar warts. Because of their weakened immune systems, people with HIV, those who have had organ transplants or who have undergone chemotherapy also have a higher incidence of plantar warts.

Prevention

• According to quickcare.org, avoiding HPV is nearly impossible in today's society. Plantar warts are spread from person to person, sometimes indirectly, and are commonly passed on surfaces around public swimming pools and showers. If you or any other family member currently has a wart, the best way to avoid spreading the virus other parts of your body or to other people is to cover your warts at all times, not share towels or clothes and treat existing warts as quickly as possible.

Treatment

• According to the American Academy of Dermatology, warts on children's feet can sometimes disappear on their own over a period of several months to years. However, adult foot warts and warts that are painful or multiply quickly should be treated. Available treatments include salicylic acid plasters or other chemicals that are applied on the warts. More-drastic measures include surgical treatments such as laser surgery, electrosurgery and cutting.

Recurrence

• It may happen that new warts appear as soon as old ones are successfully treated. The American Academy of Dermatology explains that some viruses may escape old warts and shed into the surrounding skin before being entirely eradicated. This may also explain why some plantar warts appear in clusters and multiply. Thus, it is best to treat new warts as soon as you discover them to prevent spreading to nearby skin. If you suffer from recurrent warts and can't seem to make them go away, consider visiting your dermatologist.