What is this bump on my foot?

All of the sudden, you notice a little bump with a callous over it on your foot. To make matters worse, it hurts! This could be a wart. A wart is caused by a virus, and warts develop in warm and moist environments like our feet. Pools, locker rooms, and sweaty shoes or boots are great locations for wart growth, and a single wart can spread into a big patch of warts if the environment is right. Thus, it is important to seek treatment by a podiatrist if you notice one of these pesky bumps on your foot. Further, it is essential to keep your feet dry by changing your socks frequently, changing shoes each day if possible, and using foot spray or powder to reduce sweating. Warts are treated in my office by a chemical that I apply every two weeks, and sometimes a home prescription medication is added. Occasionally, the wart may need to be surgically removed or removed by laser. Happy Walking! Dr. Bender, 708-763-0580