Warts and/or plantar warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a highly contagious virus that spreads easily in communal areas. Warts are most common in school aged children, perhaps related to the frequency of being in the public domain, and increased exposure to the virus. However, they can affect all ages.
Topical ointments are available from most pharmacies without a script, and can be effective if treated early and the instructions are followed correctly.
Warts on the sole of the foot are known as plantar warts. They are inherently more difficult to treat because the weight of the body has imbedded the lesion(s) deep in the skin and callus has also formed. Therefore, wart ointments are less likely to penetrate the viral tissue and become less effective.
