What Are Plantar Warts?

A plantar wart is a non-cancerous growth on the bottom surface of the foot. It is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can enter the body through tiny cuts or openings in the skin. Plantar warts can often develop at pressure points, such as the toes or the balls of the foot. While plantar warts may be painful or irritating, they are usually not a serious health concern.

Plantar warts are characterized by small, fleshy bumps that interrupt the normal skin lines of the feet. They have a well defined border, and may have a thickening of skin over the top of them. Plantar warts may also have several small black dots in them, which are clotted blood vessels.

If you think you may have plantar warts, you should see your doctor before trying to treat them yourself. Warts should be distinguished from other possible diagnoses, including cancerous tumors from carcinoma or melanoma. If the lesion has changed color recently or if you have diabetes, it is very important to show your doctor.

Once a diagnosis is made by your doctor, there are several different options in treatment. More conservative methods include using topical salicylic acid to remove the warts. Duct tape has even been used to cover the warts, preventing their spread to other parts of the foot, and to stimulate the body’s immune system. Since plantar warts are caused by a virus, it is the body’s own immune system that must fight off the virus, much like fighting off the virus of a common cold.

When conservative treatment doesn’t work, you and your doctor may opt for another method. Plantar warts are often frozen off using liquid nitrogen. This causes a blister to form around the wart, and then fall off a few days later. This sometimes takes several treatments to be completely rid of the warts, and can cause some minor pain or discomfort. Minor surgery may be performed to remove the warts from the bottom of the foot, sometimes using an electric needle or a curette. Laser surgery has also been used, effectively burning off the wart.

It is important to remember that plantar warts are caused by a virus. What this means is that treating plantar warts is a lot like treating a cold, in that a doctor is often treating the symptoms. Once a person has contracted the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes plantar warts, it is likely that they can have recurrences of plantar warts in the future. There are literally hundreds of types of HPV, many of which only infect certain areas of the body. Plantar warts may be contagious from one area of the foot to another area, and can even spread to the hands. They may be contagious from person to person as well, but they do not spread to all areas of the body (such as the face or genitals).

The best method of treating warts is prevention. Some easy steps include wearing sandals in public bathrooms, pools, and showers, as well as keeping your feet clean and dry. Don’t pick at the warts, as this may cause them to spread more easily, and don’t touch anyone else’s warts with your bare hands. If you do touch your own warts, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after doing so.

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com