Warts

Warts can form anywhere on the body, but they’re especially common on the bottom of the feet. At his practice in the Randall Manor neighborhood of Staten Island, New York, Aluko O. Jervis, DPM, offers safe and effective treatment for warts, including cryotherapy and removal with salicylic acid. Call the New York City area office to request treatment for warts today, or book an appointment online.

What are warts?

Warts are hard, skin-colored growths that form on the weight-bearing areas of your feet, like the soles and heels. They occur when the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters your body through cuts or other small breaks in your skin

Most warts are small and resolve on their own, but if you have diabetes or another medical issue that affects circulation to your feet, it’s crucial to seek treatment.

What are the symptoms of warts?

Symptoms of warts include:

• A hard, callus-like growth on the bottom of your foot
• A bump with a black spot in the center
• Hard, thickened skin
• Pain and tenderness when walking or standing

Some people get mosaic warts (warts that form in clusters). 

Should I see a doctor about warts?

Make an appointment with Dr. Jervis if you have one or more warts and they cause pain or discomfort. That’s especially true if the pain interferes with your activities or occurs alongside numbness or tingling in your feet. 

How are warts diagnosed?

Dr. Jervis reviews your health charts and asks about your warts, including when you first noticed them, how big they are, and if they’re painful.

Next, Dr. Jervis examines the bottoms of your feet, assessing the size, color, and shape of each growth. Then, he collects a sample of tissue from each wart and sends them to a lab for analysis. Testing confirms if the growth is viral and helps guide treatment.

How are warts treated?

Small warts typically resolve on their own and don’t require treatment. If you have large warts that affect your mobility or quality of life, Dr. Jervis removes them onsite. Depending on the location of the warts, he might recommend:

Peeling medication

Prescription-strength peeling medication removes warts one layer of skin at a time. These medications also boost your immune system, preventing new growths from forming in the future. 

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is an outpatient procedure that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze a wart. Freezing the wart kills the viral cells, causing your skin to blister and die. A week or two after treatment, the wart falls off, revealing healthy new skin beneath.

Call Aluko O. Jervis, DPM, to receive treatment for warts today, or book an appointment online.