Warts Specialist

What are warts?

Warts are skin growths caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus enters the body through a cut or breaks in the skin, causing an infection that leads to skin growth.

Warts may affect any area of the body, including the feet. Warts that develop on the sole of the feet are known as plantar warts. Unlike warts that grow in the hands or face, plantar warts grow inward because of the pressure from standing or walking.

There are two types of plantar warts:

Solitary plantar warts

A solitary plantar wart is a single wart on the sole of your foot. This type of wart may grow large and then multiply, leading to more warts on other parts of your foot.

Mosaic plantar warts

Mosaic plantar warts are small warts that grow in clusters. These types of warts may be harder to treat than solitary warts.

What are the signs and symptoms of plantar warts?

Plantar warts look a lot like calluses and may go unnoticed. These warts usually grow in the fleshy part of your foot under the base of your toes or the bottom of your heel. 

You may notice a black dot in the center of a lesion. This black dot is known as a wart seed and is a clotted blood vessel.

Where the plantar wart grows may cause foot pain or tenderness when standing or walking.

When should I seek medical care for warts?

Dr. Buckley recommends you come in for medical care for your warts if they cause pain, you have multiple warts, or at-home care fails to clear up the infection.

During your evaluation, Dr. Buckley reviews your symptoms and medical history and examines your feet. She can diagnose plantar warts after an examination. 

How are warts treated?

Dr. Buckley customizes care for your plantar warts based on the type of warts you have and the symptoms they cause. Wart treatments might include:

• Topical medication
• Oral medication
• Cryotherapy
• Laser treatment

In some cases, Dr. Buckley may recommend surgically removing the wart. 

For expert medical care for your warts, call Roka Foot and Ankle Centers or schedule an appointment online today.