Foot Warts / Plantar Warts

What are plantar warts?

Plantar warts are small, non-cancerous growths that develop on the soles of the feet due to an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters the skin through small cuts, cracks, or other areas of irritation and causes the skin cells to grow rapidly.

Because plantar warts occur on weight-bearing areas of the foot, pressure from walking can cause the wart to grow inward beneath a thick layer of skin. This can make plantar warts painful and sometimes feel like there is a small pebble inside your shoe.

What causes plantar warts?

Plantar warts are caused by exposure to certain strains of HPV. The virus is contagious and can spread through direct contact or by walking barefoot in contaminated environments.

Common risk factors include:

• Walking barefoot in public showers, locker rooms, or swimming pools
• Having small cuts or breaks in the skin
• Excessive sweating of the feet
• Sharing shoes, socks, or personal items
• A weakened immune system
• Previous history of plantar warts

Some individuals are more susceptible to developing plantar warts due to differences in their immune response to the virus.

What are the symptoms of plantar warts?

Common signs and symptoms of plantar warts include:

• A small, rough growth on the bottom of the foot
• Thickened skin or callus over the wart
• Pain or tenderness when walking or standing
• Black pinpoint dots within the wart (small blood vessels)
• Discomfort when squeezing the sides of the lesion
• A single wart or clusters of multiple warts

Unlike calluses, plantar warts often interrupt the normal skin lines of the foot and may become increasingly painful over time.

How are plantar warts diagnosed?

Your physician can often diagnose plantar warts through a physical examination of the affected area. In some cases, additional evaluation may be needed to distinguish a wart from other skin conditions.

Diagnosis may involve:

• Examination of the lesion and surrounding skin
• Removal of overlying thickened skin to evaluate the wart pattern
• Biopsy in rare cases when the diagnosis is uncertain

An accurate diagnosis ensures that the appropriate treatment approach is used.

How are plantar warts treated?

Some plantar warts may resolve on their own, but many persist and require treatment. Your physician may recommend:

• Topical medications: prescription-strength treatments to help destroy the wart tissue
• Cryotherapy: freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen
• Cantharidin treatment: application of a medication that helps separate the wart from the skin
• Laser therapy: treatment of resistant or recurring warts
• Surgical removal: removal of stubborn warts that do not respond to other treatments
• Immune-based treatments: therapies designed to stimulate the body's immune response

Treatment choice depends on the size, location, duration, and severity of the wart.

How can plantar warts be prevented?

You can reduce your risk of developing plantar warts by:

• Wearing sandals in public showers and locker rooms
• Avoiding picking at or cutting warts
• Keeping feet clean and dry
• Avoiding sharing shoes, socks, or towels
• Protecting areas of irritated or broken skin

Plantar warts can be persistent, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, most patients can achieve relief and return to comfortable walking.

If you have a painful or persistent growth on the bottom of your foot, the specialists at Metropolitan Foot and Ankle Specialists can determine whether it is a plantar wart and recommend the treatment option that is right for you. To request a personalized consultation, call Metropolitan Foot and Ankle Specialists today.