Plantar Warts: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Plantar warts are benign skin growths that commonly appear on the bottom of the foot, especially in children and young adults. Though they are not dangerous, plantar warts can be painful, irritating, and cosmetically unappealing. Many patients seek treatment not just for comfort, but to regain confidence when walking barefoot or wearing open-toed shoes.

These warts are caused by a viral infection and tend to grow inward due to the pressure of walking or standing.

What Causes Plantar Warts?

Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are multiple strains of this virus, and it tends to infect the outer layer of skin—especially in areas that are subjected to pressure or minor trauma.

• HPV enters the skin through tiny cuts, abrasions, or weak spots
• It settles into the deeper layers of tissue, where it begins to grow
• The visible portion of the wart is usually just the tip—most of the wart exists beneath the skin’s surface

How Do Warts Spread?

Warts spread primarily through indirect contact:

• Walking barefoot in communal showers, locker rooms, or pool areas
• Sharing socks, shoes, or towels with an infected person
• Touching a surface contaminated by the virus and then touching your own skin

While the virus is relatively weak and doesn’t always cause an infection, people with weakened immune systems—including those recovering from illness—are more vulnerable. It is not uncommon for individuals to develop warts after a cold or flu, as the body’s defenses are compromised.

What Do Plantar Warts Look Like?

• Small, grainy growths on the sole of the foot
• A central black dot (clotted blood vessels), sometimes called a wart “seed”
• Callused or thickened skin over the wart
• Discomfort when walking or standing, especially on weight-bearing areas
• Single warts or clusters known as mosaic warts

While plantar warts are often confused with calluses, warts disrupt the natural lines of the skin and are often painful when squeezed from the sides.

How Are Plantar Warts Treated?

Because the bulk of the wart lies below the skin, over-the-counter treatments are often ineffective. These options usually treat only the surface, allowing the virus to survive and the wart to return. For full removal, treatment must reach the deeper layers of the tissue.

Professional Wart Treatment Options Include:

• Cryotherapy: Freezes the wart with liquid nitrogen, destroying viral tissue and encouraging new healthy skin to grow
• Laser therapy: Uses focused light energy to heat and destroy the wart without harming surrounding tissue
• Topical prescription medications: Stronger than drugstore options, these may be used in conjunction with other methods
• Surgical excision: In rare or resistant cases, a minimally invasive procedure may be required to remove the wart at its root

Treatment is often determined by the size, number, and location of the warts as well as the patient’s overall health and immune response.

Can Warts Be Prevented?

While it’s not always possible to avoid the virus, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Wear flip-flops or shower shoes in public areas
• Keep your feet clean and dry
• Avoid sharing shoes, socks, or towels
• Change sweaty socks promptly
• Boost your immune system with a healthy diet, rest, and proper hydration

Don’t Let Warts Slow You Down

If you’re dealing with plantar warts, our experienced podiatrists offer effective, pain-free treatments to eliminate the virus and restore comfort to your steps. Whether you’re struggling with a single stubborn wart or clusters of mosaic warts, we’ll help you find the right solution.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward clear, healthy feet.