Worry Warts: Some Wart Myths – and What DOES Work for Plantar Warts

Warts have certainly wormed their way into becoming a part of our language and culture – likely because they’re something almost everyone has had some experience with at one point in their lives!

You might be a worry wart about the potential of plantar warts showing up on your feet. Just in case you’re interested, the term “worry wart” appears to have started in the newspaper comics of the late 1920s and early 1930s, where a character named “Worry Wart” appeared. However, he didn’t worry much himself, as we now attribute the term to mean. He mainly made others worry, instead!

And of course, warts show up in other literature. Among the most famous being in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, where Tom and Huck discuss various “cures” for the bothersome bumps. Their suggestions include dead cats and rainwater in rotting tree stumps, so we do not recommend them.

That said, there are still myths regarding plantar wart causes and treatments that still linger on – and even new ones that arise, largely thanks to the internet. Here are a few worth knowing the truth on.

Myth: You Can Get Warts by Touching Frogs or Toads

This is another one that comes from Tom Sawyer, but still gets whispered around from time to time. 

Many people who tell you frogs and toads cause warts are likely joking, but just to dispel any confusion: no, they won’t give you warts. The bumps they have are not warts, and they have nothing magic about them to cause any. Warts are caused by an infection from certain strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV. 

Your fellow humans are more often the cause of any breakouts you might have, which brings us to another note.

Myth: Warts Are Not Contagious

Once you know that warts are caused by a virus, the idea that they can pass from person to person is the next logical leap.

Some of the strains of HPV that cause warts are more contagious than others. Many that cause plantar warts do not tend to be highly contagious, but that doesn’t mean they still can’t be transmitted from person to person.

If you have plantar warts or live with someone who does, it’s always a good idea to reduce transmission risk. Never share shoes, socks, nail clippers, or other foot-touching items with others. Also, avoid touching any plantar warts (others’ or your own) unless you really have to, and wash your hands as soon as possible whenever you do.

Myth: This [Insert Home Remedy] is Guaranteed to Work!

There are still plenty of potential “cures” for warts that make the rounds. Thanks to Facebook and other forms of social media, they spread easier than ever.

Home remedies come with plenty of uncertainty. We will not say that they are always doomed to fail. There is always a tiny possibility that a treatment such as apple cider vinegar, duct tape, or whatever comes along next might actually work. However, these remedies often don’t have much in the way of research to back them up. 

Many folks might swear that a certain remedy got rid of their warts, but the warts might have also died off on their own, as they can eventually do after a long time. It might just be that they were trying a certain remedy at that time, even if the remedy itself had no effect of its own.

If you really want to try a home remedy for your plantar warts, there is little to stop you from doing so. We only ask that you please do not try anything that may involve cutting into the skin or causing you pain or discomfort in any other way. 

The longer you go without effective results, however, the more likely that your plantar warts can spread over your feet – and even to others. If you want faster, more guaranteed results, we recommend professional treatment instead.

Myth: Professional Wart Treatment Has to Hurt a Lot

This used to be largely true for most professional wart treatments. We would have to freeze, burn or cut out warts in order to get rid of them. We completely understand that few people were enthused by the thought of that.

But that was then. Now we have a newer and much more comfortable way to get rid of plantar warts: the Swift Microwave system!

Swift uses quick doses of microwave energy to attack plantar warts within the skin and alert your body’s natural immune response to take out the virus responsible. Not only can Swift get rid of warts, but it can also help train your immune system to better remove future attempts at infection.

Swift involves no breaking or burning of the skin whatsoever. Each dose of microwave energy lasts 2-3 seconds and can feel like a fast, hot sensation to some patients. However, any discomfort pales in comparison to that of other treatments, and will immediately subside once the dose is over.

Swift is a treatment we would happily recommend for children for its ability to cause less and shorter-lasting discomfort. If you have reservations about getting rid of your plantar warts at a podiatrist, Swift is absolutely worth considering.

Get Rid of Plantar Warts for Good

We will always provide you the truth when it comes to plantar warts and their treatment. If you or a loved one is currently dealing with those pesky, stubborn growths on their feet, we will always be happy to help you clear them up effectively.

Schedule an appointment by calling our Medford office or by filling out our online contact form.