While you are taking off your shoes and socks after a long day at work, you look down at the bottom of your foot and see a rough, fleshy, grainy growth. You ask yourself what is this? It may be a plantar wart. A plantar wart is a common condition caused by a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The symptoms of a plantar wart can include pain on and around the wart when standing or walking, a growth on the sole of the foot, and tiny black dots in the middle of the growth. Some people also experience a callus-like thickening or hardening of the skin over a certain part of the bottom of the foot. This is due to the wart growing inward. Fortunately, a wart can be treated. If you find a wart on the sole of your foot, please see a podiatrist, who can treat this condition.
Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Livingston Foot Care Specialists. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
About Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.
While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.
Symptoms
- Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
- Hard or thick callused spots
- Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
- Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing
Treatment
- Freezing
- Electric tool removal
- Laser Treatment
- Topical Creams (prescription only)
- Over-the-counter medications
To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in North Bellmore, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.