Mosaic warts always grow in groups and only on the soles of the feet. As a result, they can cause discomfort and pain when walking. Doctors prefer to treat this type of wart using cryotherapy, i.e. freezing. As a result, the wart falls off and usually does not form again.
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Mosaic warts belong to the group of plantar warts alongside plantar warts. They only appear on the underside of the foot. A mosaic wart can be the size of a pinhead.
A special feature of mosaic warts is that they always appear in groups. The small mosaic warts are arranged so close together that they form a mosaic-like pattern. They spread exclusively on the surface of the skin.
Mosaic warts do not cause any symptoms on their own. However, due to their localization on the sole of the foot, they can cause discomfort and pain.
Plantar warts are the most common type of wart. Like other warts, mosaic warts are also transmitted by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Simple skin contact is sufficient for infection with these viruses.
There is a very high risk of contracting this form of wart, especially in swimming pools. There is a very high chance of the viruses getting onto the floor from an infected foot.
After the viruses enter the skin, it takes up to several months for a mosaic wart to form. By then, the affected person is already contagious and can also infect other people.
Mosaic warts are no larger than 1-2 mm, but can still be easily seen with the naked eye. They are usually light and whitish or yellowish in color.
A specific feature of mosaic warts is that they almost always grow close together in groups.
This type of wart can be found on the sole of the foot, very frequently on the ball of the foot and the underside of the toes. From here they spread further and the wart bed can eventually reach the middle of the foot.
Due to this localization, mosaic warts can cause severe discomfort. The pressure on the warts when walking can cause pain. Under certain circumstances, those affected may even find it more difficult to walk.
The friction when walking can also cause the warts to crack and begin to bleed. This can cause viruses to escape and infect other areas of skin.
If you discover mosaic warts or other warts on the sole of your foot, you should therefore consult a doctor.
Mosaic warts always form in groups and only grow on the sole of the foot © HASPhotos | AdobeStock
To make a diagnosis, the doctor will first conduct a detailed diagnostic interview with you (anamnesis). He will ask you about your symptoms and the previous course of the disease. Previous illnesses may also be important for the diagnosis. This can give the doctor clues as to whether other illnesses may have caused the skin change.
After the consultation, the doctor will examine the affected areas of skin. In most cases, this is sufficient to diagnose mosaic warts.
The doctor may also use a reflected light microscope. This is a magnifying glass with a built-in light source.
A tissue sample can also provide information. It is used if a skin tumor is suspected. The doctor removes a few cells of material from the growth and sends them to the laboratory. The result clarifies beyond doubt whether it is a mosaic wart and which virus has caused it.
Plantar warts can be professionally removed in various ways.
The most popular method is cryotherapy. The warts are frozen and thus killed. After a short time, they fall off on their own. Only in rare cases does a wart form again in the same place.
After icing, a corn plaster is usually applied to the affected area of skin. Once the wart has fallen off, the plaster reduces the pressure on the new skin. This allows the area to heal and also protects it from possible pathogens.
In principle, a single icing treatment by a doctor is sufficient. In some cases, however, mosaic warts can develop again. In this case, the icing must be repeated to alleviate the symptoms.
It is also possible to ice mosaic warts yourself. Appropriate products are available in any pharmacy or drugstore. As cold spray can also damage intact skin, the treatment is not without risk. Read the package insert carefully. If in doubt, you should consult a doctor.
As an alternative to cryotherapy, the wart can also be scraped out. This is a surgical procedure and is usually only used as a last resort. Electrocoagulation or a spoon scalpel is used here. Doctors are now also increasingly using a laser for this purpose.
If the mosaic warts are less widespread, prescribed ointments, creams or lotions can also help. However, the calluses on the skin must first be removed in order to reduce the tissue of the mosaic warts.
You can protect yourself quite well against the transmission of viruses. Without the HPV infection, warts will not form. There are a few rules of conduct that you should follow. This will also help you to prevent infecting other people if you are affected yourself.
Always wear bathing shoes in swimming pools, changing rooms and saunas. Viruses can multiply particularly well in the warm and humid environment of these places. They also get onto the floor when you walk barefoot, where they can spread to other people.
Dry yourself well after washing and use your own towel. Do not share cosmetic products or medicines with others.
The role of your own immune system should not be underestimated. With an intact immune system, it is much more difficult for pathogens to colonize the body. You can strengthen your immune system by
Sport also leads to better blood circulation, which makes the development of mosaic warts even more difficult. Alternating baths can also have this effect.
