How do I know if My Child has Warts?

Summer is winding down, school is starting, and now is the time to take the time to inspect your feet and your children's feet. So many moms stop me at the Oak Brook Park District or at the Oak Brook Bath and Tennis pool when I'm there with my five kids and ask me,"How do I know if there are warts on my child's feet? What do I look for? "
Well, here are some tips. Your child may be complaining of a "sore" on the bottom of his or her foot, and it may look like a callus or a spot of hardened skin. It may be just that... a callus or a corn. However if the callus has tiny black dots, or it has a "cauliflower"-like appearance, or is painful on side to side compression, then you may want to have his or her foot examined by a podiatrist.
On the other hand, there may be no pain at all; you or you child may have noticed a spot on the bottom of his foot, and now that one spot has become two or three spots. This is another symptom of warts - they spread if not treated. They may spread to the other foot, or even to fingers or hands, and maybe even to a sibling. This is one more reason to have your child's foot examined by a podiatrist.
If you you are unsure as to what that spot is on the bottom of your child's foot, it is always better to get it checked out. Should you choose to self diagnose and try over-the-counter treatment, this may or may not work, and you may be treating that spot with something inappropriate.
So now that school is in session, make it a point to check your and your children's feet. If you are unsure, make an appointment with us at Prairie Path Foot and Ankle Clinic. See you then!