Written by Gerald E. Gronborg, DPM, CWS, FACFAS, FACCWS

Plantar warts or verruca are a common foot ailment. It is caused by a virus that infects the outermost layer of the skin. Often times people say that they can have deep roots that wrap around the bones or muscles. Although they may sometimes feel like this, this is a myth. Warts are limited, by a protective layer in our skin, to the outer skin. Plantar warts can become painful if they occur over a weight bearing area of the foot or become sufficiently large enough. When occurring in non-weight bearing areas of the foot, they are often not painful.

Plantar wart, when starting, can have the appearance of a translucent lesion. As they grow, they may develop small black dots in them. These are small broken blood vessels. If there is injury to the area the entire lesion can become black. They will easily bleed if pared down or disturbed. Over weight bearing areas they generally develop thick callus over them. This can add to the discomfort. They can appear anywhere on the foot. A PLANTAR (Not Planter) wart is a descriptive term describing the location on the plantar (bottom) surface of the foot.

Treatment of warts can take many forms. Commonly used topical treatments include serial debridement and application of sal-acid or trichloroacetic acid. Blistering agents, i.e., canthrone are another popular treatment. Freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen and burning the lesion with a laser are additional options. Surgical excision remains a mainstay as well. Regardless of the method of treatment the success rate remains around 80%. If no treatment is provided wart will go away on their own. However, there is no set time period and they often spread during this time. They are also contagious and can be spread to others.

It is important to remember that every lesion on the bottom of the foot is not a plantar wart. While children commonly get and spread warts among themselves, adults get them infrequently. Adults seem to develop an immunity to them in their mid-twenties. There are of coarse exceptions and all lesions should be checked.

The key to successful and quick resolution of plantar warts is early detection and treatment.

Are you struggling with a plantar wart? Find a podiatrist near you and find relief!