During pregnancy, your body undergoes numerous changes, making it challenging to maintain the same level of foot care as you did before. As your pregnancy progresses, reaching your feet for cleaning or putting on shoes may become increasingly difficult. Nevertheless, proper foot hygiene is essential to prevent the contraction of plantar warts.
Plantar warts are benign growths that typically appear on the heels or balls of the feet. They are caused by specific strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are transmitted through direct contact with cuts or cracks in dry skin. However, the strains of HPV that lead to plantar warts aren’t highly contagious, meaning you might not necessarily catch the virus even if you come into contact with someone who has a wart.
Symptoms of a plantar wart include a hard, rough growth on the bottom of the foot, often featuring small black dots—these are coagulated blood vessels. Plantar warts may also have streaks and are frequently brown or gray.
Natural Remedies for Plantar Warts During Pregnancy
It’s crucial to address warts since they can grow and spread. However, there is no single treatment that can completely eliminate warts or prevent them from returning. While some may attempt home remedies or over-the-counter solutions, the American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine advises against self-diagnosing or treating warts without consulting a healthcare professional. Attempting to treat them on your own may lead to scarring or other skin damage.
To avoid contracting or spreading warts, consider these preventive tips:
- Keep your feet clean and dry.
- Change your socks daily.
- Wear sandals in communal and damp areas like pools and locker rooms.
- Avoid sharing shoes or socks with others.
- Allow your shoes to dry thoroughly before wearing them.
- Do not pick at warts, and refrain from using pumice stones to scrub them.
When Natural Remedies Fail
If you suspect you have a wart, consult with a podiatrist. They can accurately determine if it’s a wart or another skin lesion and recommend the best course of treatment. If you indeed have a wart, your doctor might suggest a topical treatment, a prescription medication, or another option for more stubborn warts.
Some of the treatments available include:
- Salicylic Acid: This can be used during pregnancy, but be sure to apply it only to a small area of skin for a limited amount of time.
- Cryotherapy: This method, involving freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, can also be used during pregnancy and may require several sessions for complete removal.
- Medication Injection: Your doctor might inject medication directly into the wart to treat the virus. However, some medications, like bleomycin, are not safe during pregnancy, so inform your physician about your condition.
- Surgical Removal: While your doctor can remove the wart surgically, this is not something you should attempt on your own, as it could lead to scarring, infections, and other serious complications.
- Laser Surgery: This technique can be employed to destroy the blood vessels feeding the wart, causing it to die and fall off, or to cut away the wart itself.
If you think you have a wart, clean it and cover it with a Band-Aid, then have it evaluated by a healthcare provider. If you have diabetes and suspect you have a wart, it’s vital to reach out to your doctor, even if it seems minor. Warts should only be treated under medical supervision because diabetes heightens the risk of damaging tendons, skin, and nerves.
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In summary, while dealing with plantar warts during pregnancy can be challenging, maintaining foot hygiene, seeking professional advice, and exploring safe treatment options are essential steps to take. Always prioritize your health and consult healthcare professionals when in doubt.