Warts Specialist

What are warts?

Like all warts, plantar warts are abnormal skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). When this common virus enters the skin on the bottom of your feet, it can quickly multiply and cause abnormal changes in your skin. 

Plantar warts are most commonly found on the areas of your skin that are placed under the most pressure when you move or walk. The heels and the areas at the base of your toes are common sites. 

Unlike other types of warts, plantar warts tend to grow in toward your body rather than extending out from the surface of your skin. This is part of what makes them so painful. 

The first sign of plantar warts is often a small growth on the bottom of the foot. The new tissue might feel grainy, fleshy, or bumpy. You might notice a new callus developing over a clearly visible spot. 

Some plantar warts have a small dark spot that looks like a pinpoint. These are caused by clogged blood vessels and are sometimes referred to as a wart “seed.”  

Can I reduce my risk of warts?

Steps you can take to reduce your risk of contracting plantar warts include:

• Avoid touching a plantar wart on your skin or anyone else’s skin
• Wash your hands frequently and dry them thoroughly
• Wear shower shoes to protect your feet in communal areas
• Use a disinfectant soap to wash your feet after being in areas where warts can spread
• Don’t scrub, trim, or clip areas of skin where a wart is present

Protecting your feet from exposure to wet surfaces where others frequently walk is a great way to reduce your risk of plantar warts, toenail fungus, and athlete’s foot. 

What kinds of treatments can improve warts?

There are several treatment options for removing plantar warts. During your diagnostic exam, your podiatrist explains the pros and cons of various approaches. 

Topical medications formulated from salicylic acid can help treat plantar warts by removing the abnormal skin one layer at a time. This option takes time to achieve optimal results.

Cryotherapy uses freezing medication to damage abnormal tissue. The nearby skin might need to be numbed before your doctor applies liquid nitrogen using a cotton swab or spray. A blister forms and the skin sloughs off within a week.

With cryotherapy, you might need multiple treatments, depending on the size of the wart. 

Your Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists provider can remove plantar warts with a simple surgical procedure, and laser treatments are also an option. 

To learn more about your options for plantar warts, book your appointment online or call the office today.