Warts

What causes warts?

Warts are a skin infection caused by various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The benign growths occur when the virus enters your body through a cut or break in the skin. 

Warts are very contagious and spread when you touch a wart or surface that comes in contact with a wart. The growth may affect any part of the body, including the feet.

You can get plantar warts walking barefoot in a public place or sharing shoes with someone with warts.

What do plantar warts look like?

Plantar warts don’t look like other types of warts. Because of the constant pressure placed on the sole of your feet, these warts grow inward and look like a callus, creating a thick, rough patch of skin.

However, plantar warts may grow in areas you wouldn’t expect a callus, like the fleshy tissue below your toes or the center of your heel. You may have one plantar wart or several growing in a cluster. 

Plantar warts may also have a black point in the center of the growth. This is called a wart seed and is a small clotted blood vessel.

Your plantar wart may also cause foot pain if it grows into a nerve.

When should I see a podiatrist for warts?

You should see the West Beverly Podiatry Group podiatrists if your plantar warts cause pain or you have a cluster of growths. 

The team also recommends coming in for care immediately if you have diabetes. Any foot condition in people with diabetes may lead to an infection and limb amputation if not cared for properly.

You may also want to get expert help from the team if over-the-counter (OTC) wart treatments don’t clear up your infection. 

The team reviews your symptoms and concerns and examines your feet to develop a plan of action.

What are the best treatments for plantar warts?

No single treatment works best for plantar warts. The team at West Beverly Podiatry Group customizes your plan based on the location, number, and depth of your warts.

Treatment options for plantar warts include:

• Topical or oral medications
• Laser treatment
• Cryotherapy (freezing)
• Acid treatment

If conservative treatments fail to get rid of your wart or your wart affects mobility, the team may recommend surgery to remove the growth.

For personalized care for your warts, call West Beverly Podiatry Group or schedule an appointment online today.