Plantar warts are more than a cosmetic concern. When a wart develops on the bottom of the foot or toes, it can become painful, stubborn, and difficult to ignore. It may also make walking, standing, or wearing certain shoes uncomfortable.
If a wart on the bottom of your foot isn’t going away, continues to spread, or causes pain when you walk, a professional evaluation can help confirm whether it’s a plantar wart and determine the best treatment option.
What are Plantar Warts?
Plantar warts are small skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They typically develop on the soles of the feet or toes, especially in areas that experience pressure from standing and walking.
Because the soles of the feet are exposed to constant pressure, plantar warts may be pushed deeper into the skin, particularly in areas where the skin is thickened.
For more information about plantar warts and other foot conditions, visit our conditions and skin and nail conditions pages.
What Do Plantar Warts Look and Feel Like?
Plantar warts often look like small, rough patches or raised areas of hardened skin on the sole or toes. Some plantar warts have small black dots within them, which are blood vessels that can become visible within the wart.
Common Plantar Wart Symptoms
Plantar warts may appear as:
- A rough or thickened growth on the bottom of the foot
- Pain or tenderness when walking or standing
- A callus-like surface
- Small black dots within the wart
- A single wart or a cluster of warts
- Changes in the way you walk to avoid pressure on the area
Because plantar warts can be uncomfortable, some people may change the way they walk to avoid putting pressure on the affected area.
Are Plantar Warts Contagious?
Yes. Plantar warts are contagious because they are caused by HPV, a virus that can spread through direct contact. HPV can enter the skin through small cuts, cracks, or other breaks in the skin, allowing a wart to develop.
HPV can spread more easily in warm, damp environments where people frequently walk barefoot, including:
- Locker rooms
- Public showers
- Pool areas
- Gym floors
Children and young adults may be more likely to develop warts, although plantar warts can affect people of all ages.
Plantar Wart vs. Corn or Callus: How Can You Tell?
Plantar warts can sometimes look similar to corns or calluses. While certain characteristics can help distinguish them, a professional examination may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Key Differences to Know:
Plantar warts may:
- Disrupt the normal lines of the skin
- Have small black dots
- Be painful when squeezed from the sides
Corns and calluses may:
- Follow the natural lines of the skin
- Lack the small black dots commonly associated with plantar warts
- Be more painful with direct downward pressure
Learn more about corns and calluses and how they differ from other common foot conditions.
Why Are Plantar Warts So Hard to Get Rid Of?
Some plantar warts eventually disappear without treatment, but others can remain for months or even longer. Because plantar warts are caused by a virus and develop in areas exposed to repeated pressure and friction, they can be difficult to treat.
Plantar warts may spread to different parts of the foot or come back even after treatment. If a wart continues to persist or becomes painful, a podiatrist can recommend appropriate treatment options.
What Are the Best Treatment Options for Plantar Warts?
The best treatment for plantar warts depends on the individual patient and the characteristics of the wart. Treatment options may include over-the-counter products, cryotherapy, prescription topical treatments, surgical removal, or Swift® therapy.
For an overview of the foot care and treatment options available at our practice, visit our services page.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Some plantar warts can be treated with over-the-counter wart products. These treatments may require several weeks of consistent use and can cause irritation to the surrounding skin.
If an over-the-counter treatment does not work, or if the wart is painful, spreading, or persistent, a professional evaluation may be appropriate.
Prescription Topical Treatments
Prescription topical treatments may be recommended for certain plantar warts. These medications are applied directly to the affected area and may gradually remove wart tissue.
Some topical treatments can cause skin irritation, so they should be used according to your doctor’s instructions.
Surgical Removal
Surgical removal may be considered for certain stubborn or painful warts. The area is numbed before the wart tissue is removed.
Because surgical removal is more invasive than some other treatment options, it may involve a period of healing and can result in scarring.
Swift® Microwave Therapy for Plantar Warts
Swift® therapy is an in-office treatment option for plantar warts that uses microwave energy delivered through a handheld device.
During treatment, the device is applied to the wart for a short period of time. Swift therapy can be used to treat both common warts and plantar warts and may be an option for patients with persistent warts.
Learn more about Swift therapy for plantar warts and this treatment option.
You can also learn more about the practice’s treatment technology.
Your foot doctor can evaluate your wart and determine whether Swift therapy is an appropriate treatment option for your condition.
When Should You See a Foot Doctor for Plantar Warts?
You should consider scheduling an evaluation if:
- Your plantar wart is painful
- The wart is affecting how you walk
- The wart is spreading or multiplying
- Home treatments have not worked
- The wart keeps coming back
- You are unsure whether the growth is a wart, corn, or callus
- You are concerned about treating the wart yourself
A foot specialist can examine the growth, determine whether it is a plantar wart, and recommend an appropriate treatment.
Expert Plantar Wart Treatment at Family Foot Care & Surgery
If you have a plantar wart on your foot or toes, Family Foot Care & Surgery provides diagnosis and treatment for patients in Milford and Hamden, Connecticut. The practice offers treatment options for plantar warts, including Swift® therapy.
Dr. Sanjay Patel is a board-certified foot surgeon with more than 30 years of experience in podiatric medicine and podiatric surgery. Dr. Patel and his team can evaluate your condition and discuss the treatment options that may be appropriate for you.
If you have a painful, persistent, or spreading plantar wart, contact Family Foot Care & Surgery to schedule an appointment.