Plantar Wart

The Podiatry Experts > Plantar Wart

What is a plantar wart?

Warts are small, rough, thick and often painful lumps on the skin that are caused by a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). When a wart is present on the bottom of your foot, it’s called a plantar wart.

Causes

Common warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Most forms, however, are spread by:

  • casual skin contact
  • through shared objects, such as towels or washcloths
  • The HPV virus thrives in warm, moist environments. Consequently, you may contract the virus by walking barefoot around swimming pools or locker rooms.

Transmission

The virus usually spreads through breaks in your skin, such as a hangnail or a scrape Each person’s immune system responds to the HPV virus differently, so not everyone who comes in contact with HPV develops warts.

Symptoms

Plantar wart signs and symptoms include:

  • A small, fleshy, rough, grainy growth (lesion) on the bottom of your foot, usually the base of the toes and forefoot or the heel
  • Hard, thickened skin (callus) over a well-defined “spot” on the skin, where a wart has grown inward
  • Black pinpoints, which are commonly called wart seeds but are actually small, clotted blood vessels
  • Pain or tenderness when walking or standing
Treating-plantarwarts

Treating plantar warts

  • Using a mild acid in a safe and controlled environment, applied by an experienced Podiatrist. This usually requires multiple applications over several weeks and removes the viral cells slowly, allowing healthy skin cells to replace them.

  • Cryotherapy to freeze warts using liquid nitrogen. W e often use this treatment together with other treatments to maximise the effects.

Plantar warts can resolve on their own, though the timing is highly unpredictable with some warts taking weeks and other being present for years. If your wart is causing you pain, discomfort, or is affecting the way you walk, we highly recommend having it treated.

Preventing plantar warts

The following tips may help to prevent plantar warts:

  • Avoid walking barefoot in public changing rooms and showers
  • Change your shoes and socks daily
  • Keep your feet clean and dry
  • Check your children’s feet periodically, and treat any warts before they spread to other members of the family
  • Avoid direct contact with warts on other persons or on other parts of the body
  • Do not ignore growths on, or changes in, your skin
  • Visit a podiatrist immediately if you notice any lumps or sores on the foot

How long for plantar warts to heal after acid treatment?

What you should do next?

If you are suspect, you have plantar warts or are experiencing pain. Then it is highly recommended to book an appointment straight away.

It is easy to book with us- fill out our online form and we schedule an appointment as soon as possible. We will discuss with you the best possible solutions for your plantar warts.

It is important to remember not to delay in treating plantar warts as they can spread. Make sure to schedule an appointment with us today.

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Forestville, Annandale