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Key Points
- Plantar warts are caused by HPV and can be painful, but urgent care clinics offer various removal methods.
- Urgent care vs. specialist care: why urgent care is a faster and more affordable option.
- Tips for preventing and treating plantar warts, and what to expect during your urgent care visit.
Plantar warts are a common type of wart that affects the feet, and they can be painful at times, according to the Mayo Clinic. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can spread easily in warm and moist environments such as public pools, locker rooms, and showers.
Urgent care clinics are a great choice for getting treatment for plantar warts. Some urgent care clinics are able to use a variety of methods to remove plantar warts—including cryotherapy, laser therapy, and prescribing topical medications.
Cryotherapy is the most common plantar wart treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic. It involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen. Topical medications, such as salicylic acid, can also be used to dissolve the wart, according to the Mayo Clinic. Your urgent care provider will determine the best treatment option for you based on the size and location of the wart, as well as other factors such as your medical history and any allergies you may have. Below you’ll find more detailed information on when to seek urgent care for a plantar wart, and what to expect during your visit.
Can Urgent Care Remove Plantar Warts?
Urgent care clinics offer a wide range of services for mild to moderate health conditions—including the diagnosis and treatment of plantar warts.
When you go to an urgent care clinic for plantar wart removal, your visit will begin with a healthcare provider examining the wart and determining the best course of treatment. Depending on the size and location of the wart, the provider may recommend cryotherapy (which involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen), laser removal, or the use of topical medications. If they think the wart is deep, they may refer you to a podiatrist or dermatologist.
Urgent Care vs. Specialist Care
While urgent care clinics can often provide treatment for plantar warts, there are other options available. Some people choose to treat their plantar warts at home using over-the-counter treatments. These include cryotherapy kits that are sold at drugstore pharmacies, or topical treatments that contain salicylic acid. These treatments can take weeks to be effective, and they may not work for everyone.
Other treatment options for plantar warts include laser therapy and surgery. Both of these treatment options are performed in a doctor’s office and are usually reserved for larger or more stubborn warts that have not responded to other treatments according to the Mayo Clinic. Laser therapy uses a focused beam of light to destroy the wart tissue, while surgery involves cutting out the wart and a small portion of surrounding tissue.
If you have a plantar wart, you can consider several options for getting treatment, according to the Cleveland Clinic. These options include:
- Primary care provider
- Dermatologist
- Podiatrist
- Urgent care clinic
Of these options, an urgent care clinic may offer the fastest and most cost-effective treatment option. Urgent care clinics are often open on weekends and evenings, making it easier to fit an appointment into your busy schedule. Additionally, many urgent care clinics cost less than emergency or specialist care, according to the Urgent Care Association.
When you have a plantar wart, you will likely want to get treated as soon as possible. This is because plantar warts can often become bothersome, or even painful according to the Mayo Clinic. While primary care providers may have long wait times for appointments, urgent care clinics often have shorter wait times and can see you on a walk-in basis.
If you don't have insurance or you have a high deductible, visiting a specialist for a plantar wart can be expensive. Urgent care clinics typically have lower costs than specialized care, making them a more affordable option for many situations.
Insurance Coverage for Urgent Care Services
Many insurance plans cover urgent care visits, making them an even more cost-effective option for treating plantar warts. Be sure to check with your insurance provider to see what your specific coverage entails.
Causes and Symptoms of Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are typically found on the soles of the feet, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic also notes that they generally appear as small, fleshy bumps that are slightly raised and rough to the touch. Plantar warts can cause pain or discomfort when walking or standing.
Risk Factors for Developing Plantar Warts
According to the Mayo Clinic, factors that increase the risk of developing plantar warts include:
- Walking barefoot in public areas
- Having a weakened immune system
- Having a history of warts
Complications of Untreated Plantar Warts
If left untreated, plantar warts can spread and cause clusters of warts to form, according to the Cleveland Clinic. They can also become increasingly painful and make it difficult to walk or stand for long periods of time.
How Plantar Warts Are Diagnosed
A healthcare provider can typically diagnose plantar warts by examining the affected area. In some cases, a skin biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
Treatment Options for Plantar Warts
There are several treatment options available for plantar warts, according to the Mayo Clinic. These treatment options include:
- Cryotherapy - This involves freezing warts with liquid nitrogen
- Topical medications - This includes salicylic acid, which is used to kill the virus that causes the wart
- Laser therapy - A procedure that kills the virial cells with a laser
- Surgery - This procedure removes the wart and a small amount of surrounding tissue with a scalpel
Your healthcare provider will recommend the best treatment option based on the location and severity of your warts.
Follow-Up Care for Plantar Warts
After treatment, it is important to follow your healthcare provider's instructions for aftercare and follow-up care. This may include keeping the affected area clean and dry, and applying topical medications as directed. It is also important to schedule follow-up appointments to monitor the progress of the treatment.
What to Bring to Your Urgent Care Appointment
Before heading to the urgent care for a plantar wart, you should make sure you have the following items with you:
- Your insurance card and your state-issued identification
- A list of any medications you are currently taking
- Comfortable shoes to wear after the procedure
- A comfortable pair of socks to wear after the procedure
After the procedure, you may experience some discomfort and swelling in the affected area, according to the Mayo Clinic. To minimize these symptoms, they recommend these tips:
- Rest and elevate your foot as much as possible
- Apply ice to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day
- Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed
- Keep the area clean and dry
- Follow any instructions from your healthcare provider
Tips for Preventing Plantar Warts
To prevent future plantar warts from developing, The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following these tips:
- Wear shoes in public places, such as locker rooms and swimming pools
- Keep your feet clean and dry
- Avoid sharing shoes or socks with others
- Do not touch or scratch existing warts, as this can cause them to spread
If you have plantar warts, urgent care clinics can be a convenient and cost-effective way for you to get treatment. Find an urgent care clinic near you by searching Solv.
Frequently asked questions
What are plantar warts and what causes them?
Plantar warts are a common type of wart that affects the feet and can sometimes be painful. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can spread easily in warm and moist environments such as public pools, locker rooms, and showers.Can plantar warts be treated at urgent care clinics?
Yes, urgent care clinics can diagnose and treat plantar warts. They may use methods such as cryotherapy, laser therapy, or prescribe topical medications depending on the size and location of the wart.What are the different treatment options for plantar warts?
Treatment options for plantar warts include cryotherapy, which involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, topical medications like salicylic acid, laser therapy, and surgery. The best treatment option is determined based on the size and location of the wart, as well as other factors such as your medical history and any allergies you may have.How are plantar warts diagnosed?
A healthcare provider can typically diagnose plantar warts by examining the affected area. In some cases, a skin biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.What are the risk factors for developing plantar warts?
Factors that increase the risk of developing plantar warts include walking barefoot in public areas, having a weakened immune system, and having a history of warts.What are the complications of untreated plantar warts?
If left untreated, plantar warts can spread and cause clusters of warts to form. They can also become increasingly painful and make it difficult to walk or stand for long periods of time.What should I bring to my urgent care appointment for plantar wart treatment?
When going to an urgent care clinic for plantar wart treatment, you should bring your insurance card and state-issued identification, a list of any medications you are currently taking, and comfortable shoes and socks to wear after the procedure.How can I prevent plantar warts?
To prevent plantar warts, it is recommended to wear shoes in public places like locker rooms and swimming pools, keep your feet clean and dry, avoid sharing shoes or socks with others, and not touch or scratch existing warts as this can cause them to spread.
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