Plantar warts are common skin growths that typically form on the soles of the feet. These rough bumps develop when the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters the skin, often through small cuts or breaks. HPV causes warts. Plantar warts are contagious and can spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or indirectly via contaminated surfaces, particularly in warm, moist environments like public pools or locker rooms.
Understanding Post-Freezing Contagiousness
Cryotherapy, a common treatment for plantar warts, involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the wart tissue. This extreme cold damages wart cells, leading to their eventual death. The procedure often stimulates the body’s immune system to recognize and fight the HPV responsible for the wart. Immediately after treatment, the treated area may turn white and feel tender.
Following the freezing, a blister typically forms, which may or may not be visible. It is important not to pop this blister, as it is a natural part of the healing process. Over the next few days to a week, the blister will likely dry out, darken, and form a scab as the dead tissue begins to separate. This scab, containing the remnants of the wart, will then naturally fall off, revealing new, healthy skin underneath.
A plantar wart generally remains contagious until the entire affected tissue has shed and healthy skin has regenerated. While cryotherapy aims to eliminate the infected cells, the virus can persist in surrounding skin, even if it appears normal. If the blister formed after treatment breaks, the fluid inside may contain the wart virus, meaning the area can still spread the infection. Therefore, careful cleaning is necessary if this occurs to prevent further transmission. The complete healing process can take one to three weeks, and often multiple cryotherapy sessions are required to fully clear the wart.
Minimizing Risk After Treatment
After cryotherapy, maintaining proper hygiene is important to prevent the spread of the wart virus. Keeping the treated area clean and dry helps support the healing process. If the wart or the healing site needs to be touched, hands should be washed immediately afterward with soap and water to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. It is also advisable to avoid picking at the healing wart or any scabs that form, as this can disrupt healing and potentially spread the infection.
To further reduce the chance of transmission, covering the treated wart with a bandage during the healing period is recommended. This physical barrier helps prevent the virus from spreading to other parts of your body or to other individuals. Additionally, refraining from sharing personal items such as towels, socks, or shoes can significantly limit indirect contact with the virus. HPV can survive on wet surfaces, making public areas like locker rooms, communal showers, and swimming pool decks potential sources of infection. Wearing appropriate footwear like flip-flops or sandals in these environments helps protect the feet.
It is important to recognize that plantar warts can sometimes reappear even after successful treatment, as the HPV virus may remain dormant in the body. If a wart persists, changes in appearance, or causes ongoing discomfort or pain after treatment, seeking further evaluation from a healthcare professional is advisable. They can assess the situation and recommend additional treatment options if necessary.