FACT SHEET
Plantar warts
Warts can be quite painful and are caused by a virus, which typically invades the skin through small cuts and abrasions. They are frequently called plantar warts because they appear most often on the plantar surface (soles) of the foot.
Most warts are harmless and they are often mistaken for corns. Because of this confusion it is wise to consult a podiatrist about any suspicious growth or eruption on the skin of the feet.
On the bottom of the feet, plantar warts tend to be hard and flat, rough-surfaced, with well-defined boundaries and if they develop on a weight-bearing area will become quite painful with walking or running, whereas warts on the top of the feet or toes appear more raised and fleshier.
Walking barefooted in public areas is the most common way of contracting plantar warts. Warm, moist environments also sustain the virus, so warts are often associated with swimming pools and water parks.
If left untreated, warts can grow to an inch or more in circumference, and they can spread into clusters of several warts. Like any other infectious lesion they can be spread by touching and scratching, so it is advisable not to pick at warts with your fingernails.
(Even more advisable not to put your fingers in your mouth afterwards)
Tips for Prevention
- Avoid walking barefoot, except on sandy beaches
- Check children’s feet periodically
- Avoid direct contact with warts – from other persons.
- Do not ignore skin growths or changes in your skin
- Visit your podiatrist as part of your annual health check-up
Self-treatment is generally not advisable. Over the counter preparations contain chemicals that destroy skin cells, and it takes an expert to destroy abnormal skin cells (warts) without also destroying surrounding healthy tissue. Diabetics and those with circulatory disorders should especially avoid self-treatment.
Treatment from a Podiatrist, usually involves the use of acids. There are many types of acids used in wart treatment, and the selection of the acid is based on the size and location of the wart itself. Treatment usually only takes 3 – 4 applications, once again based on the size and location, and in most cases it is a pain free procedure.
