Plantar Warts

[eileen]

Did everything, acid, freezing, beetle juice, surgery, aldara. I have a mosaic about 1 1/2 inches on the ball of my foot. Podiatrist will not do anymore surgery due to location and amount of scar tissue involved. Should I see dermatologist? It is impacting my life significantly. Can no longer run long distances and having severe leg pain in other leg.

[footdoctor]

CO2 laser or pulsed dye laser. The latter does not require anesthesia and will not leave a wound to heal. It will eliminate or greatly reduce scarring. Most insurance companies do not cover it and consider it cosmetic. It requires multiple treatments if it is a reasonable alternative. You will walk on the treatment area immediately without limitations. Another alternative to google is tagamet tabs or generic cimetidine. The action is not understood but success has been demonstrated. I know it sounds goofy but i don't argue with anything if it works. Hope that helps.
dr. L

[kimhudge]

Eileen, my daugher who is 20 yrs. old, is suffering the same as you. What did you do about it? She just had extensive surgery (laser) in January, it left a wound that isn't completely healed yet, and the little buggers are back. She started on tagamet also. I am looking to find a doctor/hospital that deals quite often with this problem. Her doctor right now, is talking about doing an extensive flap surgery that will leave her toes deformed. I am desperate and hoping to find somewhere to take her. Where we're from (Pa) our area is behind on all new things out. Please respond, Kim kimhudge

[footdoctor]

I would not consider a flap surgery at this time...i believe that is a radical approach saved for a last option...i hate to say this but research thru either the APMA, or a laser google for a doc, either podiatrist or dermatologist, that is trained and has substantial experience in CO2 laser methodology...
if indeed a flap is the eventual need i would seek a plastic surgeon for the procedure...i have never seen the area require a flap...i am not certain what portion of PA you are located...please advise and i will see if i can ID a doc for you...
thanks
dr.L

[melisadenny]

My Friend had a plantar wart on ball of right foot. They do put down roots or feelers which can go deep into foot. Very painful to walk on. Her Dr. recommended either cutting out or freezing, but freezing could take several sessions. She chose cutting out. Most painful was numbing of foot. Dr. basically cut out an area about the size around of a cigarette and maybe up to 1/4 - 1/2-inch deep, then cauterized it. That was over a year ago and she has had no return of the war,