Should you worry if your child has verrucas (plantar warts)?
Warts on the feet called verrucas are often the subject of questions from parents. They want to know if these plantar warts are something they should worry about if a child has them on their feet.
Most are in agreement that verrucas are anything other than a nuisance.
A child should not be excluded from swimming or other barefoot activities because he or she has verrucas. And history illustrates that it’s pretty much useless to try to eradicate verrucas. It’s just a waste of time and money.
Verrucas, like most warts, are caused by a viral infection of the growing layers of the skin that enter the skin when it is injured in some way.
That’s why they often show up in those who go barefoot around swimming pools where the plantar skin on the base of feet gets soggy and more easily damaged.
What do you do about verrucas?
As with most infections, particularly viral ones, immunity to it occurs over time.
Most skin specialists aren’t in favor of treating verrucas because it is so widespread. They would prefer that children actually become exposed to it so that they can develop immunity to it as early as possible.
Is there a situation when plantar warts should be treated?
The main reason for treating verrucas is the intolerable pain or tenderness that they cause due to the hard skin that accumulates around the wart.
Pharmacy shelves are full of expensive wart remedies. They’re on the shelves because they don’t work. The best course of action when verrucas are causing pain is to consult your doctor.
For more details on verrucas click here.
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