Monday, 22 March 2021 00:00
What Do Plantar Warts Look Like?
Plantar warts are warts that appear on the bottoms of the feet due to a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Plantar warts often look like circular spots of thick, callused skin. These spots will typically have tiny black dots on the surface, which are actually bits of dried blood. Plantar warts are usually flatand grow inwards as pressure from walking is applied to them. This often leads to pain. A plantar wart can occur on its own, multiply to form additional satellite warts, or can appear as a “mosaic” of several plantar warts growing closely together. Warts on the bottom of the feet can be treated with topical or oral medications, laser therapy, or cryotherapy. To learn more about plantar warts, please speak with a podiatrist.
Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Richard Silverstein from Union Foot Care. Our doctor 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 Havre de Grace, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Read more about What Are Plantar Warts?
FAQs
Plantar wart signs and symptoms include: A small, rough growth on the bottom of your foot, usually at the base of the toes or on the ball or heel. On brown and Black skin, the growth may be lighter than unaffected skin. Hard, thickened skin (callus) over a spot on the skin, where a wart has grown inward.
What can be mistaken for a plantar wart? ›
Sometimes corns or calluses are mistaken for a palmar or plantar wart. In some warts, little black dots appear, leading people to call them "seed" warts.
What is the fastest way to get rid of a plantar wart? ›
Cryotherapy. One of the most commonly used plantar wart removal methods involves freezing them off, a procedure known as cryotherapy. To freeze plantar warts, your healthcare provider will swab or spray liquid nitrogen onto the wart and a small area surrounding the wart.
Do plantar warts go away on their own? ›
Plantar warts occur on the bottom of your feet and may be painful when you walk. A virus makes the top layer of skin grow quickly, causing a wart. Warts usually go away on their own in months or years.
Can you pick at a plantar wart? ›
Absolutely never attempt to pick at your wart with tweezers, cut it out with clippers, or perform any kind of “bathroom surgery.” This not only won't solve your wart problem, but can also cause you a lot of pain and increase your risk of dangerous infections.
How do I know if my wart is a plantar wart? ›
Plantar wart signs and symptoms include: A small, rough growth on the bottom of your foot, usually at the base of the toes or on the ball or heel.
How to tell if a bump is a wart? ›
Symptoms of warts
- A small, raised bump may appear on the skin.
- The average size can range from one to 10 millimetres.
- The wart may have a rough or smooth surface.
- Warts can occur singly or in clusters.
- In some cases, the wart may itch.
- Face, feet, knees and hands are most commonly affected.
Many people have removed warts with these self-care tips: Peeling medicine (salicylic acid). Nonprescription wart removal products are sold as a patch, gel or liquid. You'll likely be instructed to wash the site, soak it in warm water, and gently remove the top layer of softened skin with a pumice stone or emery board.
Can you pull out a plantar wart? ›
Can you pull out a plantar wart? Yes, you can pull out a plantar wart. They do tend to bleed a lot due to an increased nerve and vascular supply. Many times they do return, but with any type of injury, the body's immune response will respond to the wart tissue.
Why does duct tape work on warts? ›
One theory is that the tape deprives the skin cells of oxygen. By “suffocating” the wart, the duct tape makes it more likely that the skin cells will die. The process of applying and removing the duct tape may also remove additional skin cells, which can make the wart less bulky and noticeable.
If left untreated, plantar warts can grow up to 1 inch in circumference and may spread into clusters called mosaic warts. In severe cases, they can cause a change in gait or posture that results in leg or back pain–our job is to make sure that doesn't happen. What are the prevention/treatment options?
Does plantar wart mean I have HPV? ›
Plantar warts are a type of skin infection on your feet caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The infection causes rough bumps to form, which may be uncomfortable or painful. Treatment options include home remedies, medications and therapies.
What is the best plantar wart removal? ›
Freezing medicine is a common treatment option for plantar warts. It involves freezing the wart with a cold substance, such as liquid nitrogen. This treatment is usually very effective, and it does not cause any pain or scarring.
Do I have to throw away shoes after getting a wart? ›
During and after treatment for plantar warts it is important to always wear clean, dry shoes, socks, panty hose, and the like. Also remember that old footwear items must either be thoroughly sanitized or discarded or else re-infection is likely to occur.
How do I know when a plantar wart is completely killed? ›
One needs to keep going down until just below the level of the surrounding skin to eradicate a wart completely. Stop when the base of the wart looks exactly like normal skin (i.e. no black dots or 'graininess). If they become sore or bleed a little just leave off the treatment and carry on the following night.
How contagious are plantar warts? ›
Yes, plantar warts can and do spread within households from direct contact. This is because the type of virus that causes warts in the feet specifically, called HPV (human papillomavirus), is a contagious virus that thrives in warm and moist places - like your shower or if sharing a pair of shoes.
What is commonly mistaken for a wart? ›
A seborrheic keratosis is a noncancerous (benign) growth on the skin. It's color can range from white, tan, brown, or black. Most are raised and appear "stuck on" to the skin. They may look like warts.
What could it be if it's not a wart? ›
Seborrheic Keratosis
Often they are mistaken for warts. Generally, no treatment is required unless the growth becomes irritated from chafing against clothing.
What is the difference between a plantar wart and a plantar fibroma? ›
Plantar fibromas are benign tissue tumors or growths on the plantar, or bottom surface of the foot. Unlike plantar warts, which grow on the skin, these grow deep inside on a thick fibrous band of ligaments called the plantar fascia.
What skin conditions look like warts? ›
Seborrheic Keratoses is a common skin disorder that is characterized by benign, painless, often wart-like skin lesions that appear to be 'stuck on. ' The raised spots are usually yellow or brown. Treatment, if warranted, involves surgical or cryo-surgical removal. Also known as seborrheic warts and verruca.
