Plantar warts are growths that form on the bottom of the feet. Plantar warts are hard and flat and are caused by the human papilloma virus, according to NewsForParents.org. Children are at an increased risk of developing plantar warts when they come into contact with the virus, which is commonly found in locker rooms, gymnasiums and public pools. If your child has plantar warts, she may experience discomfort or even pain on the soles of her feet when walking.
Types of Treatments
Treatments for plantar warts in children include over-the-counter medications and professional treatments. You can treat your child's warts using topical creams that are available either over the counter or as prescriptions. A dermatologist can treat stubborn plantar warts using topical acid, laser treatments, cryotherapy or surgery.
Treatment Functions
Dermatologists use topical acid treatments to kill the virus that causes plantar warts, according to NewsForParents.org. Cryotherapy is a treatment that involves freezing warts in an effort to kill off the virus that caused the wart. Acid treatments and cryotherapy for plantar warts can take multiple treatments to completely eradicate the virus and be effective in removing plantar warts.
Treatment Alternatives
If your child is not experiencing pain due to his plantar wart, you may want to consider waiting on treatment. Pediatrician Bob Sears states on his website that the most effective plantar wart treatments, such as cryotherapy, can be painful. If your three-year-old does not have pain or bleeding from his plantar wart, the wart will probably go away on its own if left alone. Note that it can take two or three years for an untreated wart to disappear.
Considerations
NewsForParents.org states that over-the-counter treatments for plantar warts are not recommended, since they can cause damage to the surrounding skin. The American Academy of Dermatology claims that some dermatologists may suggest that your child change her footwear while undergoing treatment for plantar warts to help speed recovery.
Expert Insight
MayoClinic.com states that you can treat your three-year-old's plantar warts at home using duct tape. To do so, take a piece of duct tape and stick it directly over your child's wart. After six days, remove the duct tape, soak your child's foot and rub his wart with a pumice stone. You may need to repeat this process for two months to completely eradicate your child's wart, but this treatment helps you avoid causing pain to your child and prevents doctor's visits, which can be upsetting for some children.
