Wart(s)

What is a plantar wart?

Plantar warts are small, rough bumps that grow on the skin of your foot. Warts can develop anywhere, but they’re most common on the bottoms of your feet, called the plantar side.

Warts typically appear as flesh-colored, but they may have black pinpoints in the center. These tiny dots are actually dried blood contained in small blood vessels (capillaries).

It’s easy to mistake a wart for a corn or callus because of its thick, rough texture. Most warts aren’t a serious problem, but some may cause pain while walking or standing.

What causes warts?

Warts are a result of an infection of the human papillomavirus (HPV). You may become infected with HPV if the virus enters your foot through a crack or small cut in the skin. There are more than 100 different types of HPV, but only a handful cause warts to grow on your feet.

The strains of HPV that cause plantar warts aren’t highly contagious, and not every person who becomes infected will develop warts. However, picking at or scratching a wart may cause it to spread to other parts of your foot.

When should I see a podiatrist for a wart?

Most of the time, warts go away on their own or with over-the-counter treatments. You should call AllCare Foot & Ankle Center if:

• The wart causes pain that interferes with daily activities
• The wart doesn’t go away with home treatment
• The wart bleeds or changes color
• You aren’t sure if the growth is a wart

If you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor sensation in your feet, you should seek treatment at AllCare Foot & Ankle Center at the first sign of a wart or any other growth on your foot.

How are warts treated?

Warts can be difficult to treat, so you may need to try a few different methods.

Stubborn warts may require minor surgery to remove or destroy the wart.

If you have a wart that won’t go away, call or book an appointment online today.