Plantar warts can be quite a painful condition. They are caused by the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. If you are a Florida resident who is plagued by plantar warts and want to end your suffering, you can seek treatment from a podiatrist in Boca Raton. Treating plantar warts is different for every individual.
When you see a doctor, there are different options you can take toward removing your plantar warts. The first is cryotherapy, during which each wart is frozen in a solution known as sodium nitrite. The wart turns black in color and then falls off a few days after this type of treatment. It is the most common method and is often preferred by podiatrists, as it is a painless procedure that does not cause tissue damage.
Another common way to treat plantar warts that you may want to choose is surgery. The less invasive type of surgery is done right in the podiatrist’s office and is performed with lasers. It is more effective than cryotherapy and does not cause scarring.
The other type of surgery you can have for treating plantar warts is known as cutterage. It is performed with an electric needle, which is used to cut away each wart. While this can be somewhat painful, the sensation will be limited due to the administration of a local anesthetic. It should be noted that cutterage can result in scars, although it is also considered to be one of the most effective methods of permanently eliminating plantar warts.
If you are apprehensive about having surgery or undergoing cryotherapy, there is a third option in treating plantar warts. You can request a topical acid solution. These are often made with salicylic or dichloroacetic acid, which the podiatrist can administer in the office. The solution kills off the skin cells that are affected by HPV. If you opt for this treatment, you will have to see your doctor several times, as it is a method that requires multiple applications over a few weeks to be complete.
