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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Plantar warts can be persistent. They can shed the virus into the skin of your foot before they're treated, prompting new warts to grow as fast as the old ones disappear. The best defense is to treat new warts as quickly as possible so that they have little time to spread.

If untreated, warts can enlarge and spread, developing into clusters of warts called mosaic warts. They may also become extremely painful. If you have lots of plantar warts, the pain may make it difficult for you to walk or run.

References
  1. Habif TP. Warts, herpes simplex and other viral infections. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/121280969-6/806516417/1195/75.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50014-5--cesec21_1286. Accessed Feb. 19, 2009.
  2. Lichon V, et al. Plantar warts: A focus on treatment modalities. Dermatology Nursing. 2007;19:372.
  3. Gibbs S, et al. Topical treatments for cutaneous warts. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006:CD001781.
  4. Goldstein BG, et al. Cutaneous warts. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
  5. Aldara. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2004/mar_PI/Aldara_PI.pdf. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
  6. Focht DR 3rd, et al. The efficacy of duct tape vs. cryotherapy in the treatment of verruca vulgaris (the common wart). Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 2002;156:971.
  7. Your guide to diabetes: Type 1 and type 2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/YourGuide2Diabetes.pdf. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.

DS00509

May 2, 2009

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