A very big and athletic 14 year old, a son of friends, had a very large plantar wart removed yesterday. They’re found on the bottom of the feet and are caused by a virus. Since it is a virus, a particular age is not a requirement; anyone can get them.

Most people don’t talk about our foot problems, especially warts, until the problem becomes so painful we can hardly walk. That’s when friends and family start asking questions.

Sometimes we confuse them with calluses and don’t treat them properly. That is asking for trouble, pure and simple. Another problem is that even when correctly identified some of them are not easily treated. Some of them are small, rounded and sit by themselves while others involved large patches of skin two to four inches across.

These warts can be difficult to treat because of their location at the bottom of the foot. The skin at the bottom of the foot is twice as thick as the skin on the other parts of your boy. This thicker skin allows the wart to penetrate deeper and prevents topical medications from reaching the entire wart. That was the case in this young teen’s case and the physician had to dig his wart out. I’m told there was a sizeable hole.

He probably got his wart from the gym or locker room. Any crack or abrasion on your feet is an open invitation for the virus to go deep inside. They can be very painful when they become pushed deep inside the skin. Some foot specialists recommend the cost-effective treatment of repeatedly applying salicylic acid drops. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. See your podiatrist is the best bet.

Adults who get a plantar wart usually have to stop exercising and playing tennis or golf because their foot hurts too much. That’s not very good either because it doesn’t take long to get out of shape.

That’s why the best step is prevent them by avoiding going barefoot in the gym or around swimming pools; actually avoid walking barefoot in any public place. Wash and dry your feet daily and put powder in your shoes to absorb moisture. Also, if you are looking at someone else’s toes, wear disposable gloves.

You can enjoy working out in the gym and lounging at the pool; just wear something on your feet.

To your success in health and aging,

Ruthan Brodsky