Plantar warts are some of the most common foot warts. They’re rough, flat growths that usually form on the bottoms of your feet, but they can grow almost anywhere.
If you've noticed a wart on your foot or your child’s foot, you might wonder what caused it and whether it requires treatment. The good news is: Plantar warts are noncancerous and mostly harmless.
They can be tender and uncomfortable though, and that’s why Bryon Butts, DPM, and our team offer wart treatment for patients of all ages at Performance Footcare PC. Read on to find out why plantar warts grow and what your treatment options are.
A strain of human papillomavirus (HPV) causes plantar warts. Most of the time, these warts form when:
Your skin is a tough natural barrier that protects you from the environment. But small cuts, scrapes, and scratches can easily puncture the skin on your feet, particularly if you go barefoot frequently. Those small cuts create an opening where germs can get in.
HPV is a common virus, and it’s found almost everywhere. Certain strains can cause plantar warts, and it spreads easily where people walk around barefoot. You’re more likely to get a plantar wart if you go barefoot in places like pools, saunas, public showers, and locker rooms.
Usually, your immune system can defend you if you come in contact with HPV. But, having a small cut leaves you more vulnerable to infection. The opening might be so small that you don’t even notice it, but the virus enters your body and infects your skin.
Once the virus is in your body, the plantar wart develops. Most plantar warts are skin-colored and look like thick calluses with black dots at the center.
Plantar warts are usually found on the soles of your feet, near your heel or your toes. They range in size, shape, and location, and they often grow bigger over time.
Not all plantar warts require professional treatment. In fact, small warts may not cause bothersome symptoms. Your body eventually fights the infection, and the wart disappears on its own.
Large, numerous, or otherwise bothersome warts can benefit from professional wart treatment. If you have a painful wart, Dr. Butts and our team can diagnose it and recommend a course of treatment to relieve your symptoms.
We offer a variety of wart treatments, including CryoProbe™ freezing and prescription Cantharidin®. Some warts can be eliminated in one office visit, but others may require a series of treatments for maximum results.
Plantar warts are common, and there’s no reason to be embarrassed if you have one. Schedule a podiatrist appointment at Performance Footcare PC in New York to learn more about your treatment options.
