Plantar Warts

• Papillomavirus virus found around pools, spas, showers, puddles, saunas etc

• Transmitted through water and a small break/porous aspect on the skin surface

• Single of multiple lesions found on the plantar surface of the foot

• Black dots in the center, as warts have their own blood supply

• Pain from side to side squeezing, as opposed to direct pressure

• Skin lines run around the lesion, not through

This depends on age, gender, medical status of the patient and the number, site and classification of the lesion.

• Stronger topical medications, such as salicylic acid

• Freezing the wart (cryotherapy)

• Burning the wart (electrocautery)

• Laser treatment or dry needling for difficult to remove lesions

• Customised soft offloading insoles to take the pressure off and ease the pain

• Over the counter remedies (however the skin on the sole of the foot is thicker than the skin on the rest of the body, so may need specific treatment to be effective)

It is a good idea to speak to your podiatrist at Well Heeled Podiatry before deciding on any treatment options, as certain treatment can cause scarring and unwanted side effects.

CAUTION:

If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system (for example, HIV) and have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist before undertaking any type of treatment.

DO NOT attempt to remove a wart yourself by burning, cutting, tearing, picking, or any other method.

Related Topics

• Blisters

• Callouses

• Corns

• Tinea and Fungal Nails