Here’s What a Wichita Podiatrist Wants You to Know About Foot Warts
Warts are caused by a virus that penetrates the skin, forming a raised, fleshy bump. They can crop up on any part of the skin, including the feet. Some warts go away on their own without treatment. Others recur, grow in size, or spread to form clusters of warts. Generally, they’re not harmful and rarely cause pain, but are highly contagious. If you need help eliminating foot warts, schedule an appointment today with Dr. Weaver at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates.
What Are Foot Warts?
A foot wart is technically a plantar wart caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters your system through cracked or broken skin. Like other viruses, HPV thrives in warm, moist environments, so public areas with wet floors—such as swimming pools and showers—are perfect breeding grounds for plantar warts. They easily transmit from person to person and can also spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of foot warts include:
- A small, knobby growth on your heel, the ball of the foot, or at the base of a toe
- A callus over a spot on your foot, indicating the wart is beneath the skin
- The appearance of “wart seeds”: tiny dots of clotted blood vessels
- Tenderness when walking or standing
- The emergence of “mosaic warts”, which is a cluster of growth on the foot sole
Anyone can develop plantar warts, especially children and people with compromised immune systems, so prevention is important. Always wear plastic or rubber shower shoes, slides, or flip-flops in public areas, and maintain proper foot care by keeping feet and footwear clean and dry.
Foot Wart Treatment Recommendations From Dr. Weaver
If left untreated, plantar warts can last for months—even years! While there are off-the-shelf treatment options, the virus is difficult to eliminate this way, and warts often resist these applications or return quickly.
Wart removal is best left to a doctor. Dr. Weaver and our team will safely treat any foot wart using various methods, such as prescription medications, surgical removal, and laser cautery.