Plantar Wart

What is a plantar wart?

A plantar wart is a bumpy, skin-colored growth that develops on the weight-bearing areas of your feet like the heels. 

Most plantar warts respond to conservative treatments and resolve on their own over time. If your warts persist, grow, or affect your quality of life, don’t wait to seek professional treatment at DeLoor Podiatry Associates.

What are the symptoms of a plantar wart?

Common symptoms of a plantar wart include:

• Pain or tenderness when walking or standing
• A small, rough, flesh-colored growth
• Hard, thickened skin that looks similar to a callous
• A bump with a visible black spot or “seed” in the middle

Without early intervention and treatment, plantar warts can multiply and spread. That’s especially true if you scratch or pick at them.

Who is at risk of experiencing a plantar wart?

Plantar warts affect all types of people, but they’re especially common in children and teenagers because their immune systems are developing.

Other factors that increase the risk of a plantar wart include having a weak immune system, having a medical history of warts, and walking barefoot in public facilities like swimming pools or locker rooms.

How is a plantar wart diagnosed?

To diagnose a plantar wart, your DeLoor Podiatry Associates provider physically examines your foot and asks about your symptoms. Then, they remove a small piece of the lesion with a scalpel and send it to a laboratory for further analysis. 

The technicians at the laboratory place your sample under a microscope and assess it for the presence of a virus or bacteria. If they detect anything unusual, they alert your provider right away.

How is a plantar wart treated?

The team at DeLoor Podiatry Associates treats plantar warts on an outpatient basis. Depending on your medical history and needs, they might recommend:

Removing it with salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a prescription-strength wart medication. When applied to your skin, it causes the wart to peel away one layer at a time. 

Freezing it with cryotherapy

During cryotherapy, your provider applies liquid nitrogen to the wart. The liquid nitrogen causes the wart to freeze, die, and ultimately, fall off.

How can I prevent a plantar wart?

You can significantly lower your risk of developing a plantar wart by taking preventive action. The team at DeLoor Podiatry Associates recommends:

• Avoiding direct contact with warts
• Keeping your feet clean and dry
• Not picking or scratching at warts
• Not sharing items like nail clippers or pumice stones with others

To explore your treatment options for a plantar wart, make an appointment at DeLoor Podiatry Associates by calling the nearest office or clicking the online booking tool today.