Plantar Warts

There are certain things that tend to show up in your life that you just wish would leave already. That roommate who eats cereal shirtless on the couch, for example.

Plantar warts can be even tougher to naturally remove than that.

Warts are one of the most common yet most stubborn skin maladies on the feet. While they tend to be relatively harmless, their staying power is astonishing.

walking through a glade

What are Plantar Warts?

Plantar warts are the result of a viral infection on the feet. The offending organisms in this case are strains of HPV, the human papillomavirus. You might have heard about HPV creating warts elsewhere. There are more than 100 kinds of HPV we currently know in the world, but only a few of them will cause warts on the feet. The rest are different. The virus tends to infiltrate through small cuts, sores, or any other weak spot along the bottom of the foot. It thrives in warm, damp areas, so walking barefoot through locker rooms and other wet, public areas can increase your risks. Symptoms of plantar warts include:

  • Small, grainy growths on the bottom of the foot. These are most commonly seen around the base of the toes, the forefoot, and the heel. They will also tend to interrupt the normal lines and loops you see in your foot.

  • Occasionally, a hard, thick callus over a definite spot on the skin. This is a sign that a wart might have grown inward.

  • Small, dark pinpoints or flecks in the affected area. Some call these “seeds,” but they are tiny blood vessels within the skin that have become interrupted by warts and since clotted.

Plantar warts do not always cause pain. They might, however, if they are developed in a particularly sensitive part of the foot that endures pressure while walking.

What to Do About Plantar Warts

The good news is that plantar warts eventually go away on their own. The bad news is that it may take them up to 2 years to do so! If your plantar warts are not causing you any pains or problems whatsoever, then you could reasonably stick this time period out. This isn’t always the wisest move, however. As long as you have warts, you risk spreading them to others. Your family would not like that to happen…nor would anyone at the gym! You also risk spreading them to your hands if you pick or scratch at warts, so be sure to wash your hands constantly. If you want to get rid of your warts sooner (and really, that’s a sound course of action), home remedies are very likely not going to help you. None of them have much peer-reviewed, scientific bearing (even duct tape!). Feel free to try anything that’s not going to cause you injury or pain, but you likely won’t see results.

Treatment Available at Comprehensive Foot Centers

When you want to get rid of your plantar warts—especially if they are causing you pain or other trouble—our experts here at Comprehensive Foot Centers can help. Treatments can involve peeling the layers of a wart away a little at a time, freezing them off, or advanced treatments.

Every case of plantar warts can be a little different, so we will be sure to discuss your full range of options when it comes to removal for yourself or a loved one.

For help with plantar warts, ingrown toenails, or a variety of other skin and nail conditions, give us a call at (816) 455-115, or fill out our online contact form. Our locations cross state lines for a multitude of convenient options!