Myth: Warts are for Witches

Warts come with a stigma of being unclean and nasty. People tend relate warts to an ugly witch with a big wart on her nose, while warts are contagious they are a natural reaction caused by our body, and not always a sign of bad hygiene.

A wart is caused by a viral infection (HPV) which invades the skin through small or invisible cuts and abrasions; which is why you see warts more commonly on children and youth. The virus causes the top layer of skin to grow rapidly, creating the wart.

Foot warts are generally raised and fleshy and can appear anywhere on the foot or toes. Occasionally, warts can spontaneously disappear after a short time, and then, just as frequently, they recur in the same location. It is important to note that warts can be very resistant to treatment and have a tendency to reoccur. Over-the-counter foot wart treatments are usually ineffective because their use can inadvertently destroy surrounding healthy tissue.

 Please contact our office for help in effectively treating warts. Our practice is expert in recommending the best treatment for each patient, ranging from prescription ointments or medications to, in the most severe cases, laser cautery.

Pools: a Podiatrist's Nightmare

Like us, we are sure many of you are already enjoying pool days or perhaps an outing or two to Whirlin’ Waters. As much as we love water days in Charleston these activities can result in unwanted foot problems such as warts, nail fungus, athlete’s foot and more.

The most common cause for these issues are the bacteria infested, damp areas surrounding public swimming areas, locker rooms and showers. In the instance of public pools hundreds of people trample through this bacteria thriving environment unintentionally spreading fungus and giving it an ample place to grow...and in result, others pick up these conditions. We suggest wearing water shoes to avoid most problems and making sure to clean and dry feet well after exposure to these areas.

If you are concerned about any of the following please see our office for the most effective treatments. Recent studies show increased evidence of how easily conditions can spread among family members as well as to public. 

- Discolored Toenails (resulting from Onychomycosis)

- Thickened or Flaking Nails

- Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot (itching, scaling, inflammation)

- Newly formed warts