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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

To reduce your risk of plantar warts:

  • Avoid direct contact with warts. This includes your own warts.
  • Keep your feet clean and dry. Change your shoes and socks daily.
  • Don't go barefoot in public areas. Wear shoes or sandals in public pools and locker rooms.
  • Don't pick at warts. Picking may spread the virus.
  • Don't use the same file, pumice stone or nail clipper on your warts as you use on your healthy skin and nails.
  • Wash your hands carefully after touching your warts.
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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