Plantar Wart

While much like other warts that can grow elsewhere on the body, a plantar wart, located on the bottom of the foot, can be more painful. A plantar wart grows on the inward ball of the foot, known as the plantar region. As such, anyone with a plantar wart puts pressure on it with every step.

If you live in St. Louis, MO, Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute will help alleviate your foot pain.

What Causes a Plantar Wart?

Warts develop as a result of the skin being exposed to a virus. More specifically, warts, including plantar warts, develop after an individual comes in direct contact with one of the more than 100 types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters through a small cut or abrasion.

Warts thrive in warm, moist places making the foot, clothed with a sock and shoe, a great environment to grow. Children and teenagers are prone to develop plantar warts. So are people with weakened immune systems and those who frequent a gym locker room or other location where many individuals walk around barefoot.

Those who have had a plantar wart are more susceptible to getting one again.

Different Types of Plantar Warts

A plantar wart can grow as large as two inches, but most remain smaller and are shaped much like a pencil eraser.

Plantar warts come in two types:

One type is a solitary wart, which may continue growing. It can multiply, causing other warts, referred to as "satellite" warts.
A cluster of warts, called mosaic warts, which grow close together. Mosaic warts can be more difficult to treat.

Symptoms of a Plantar Wart

Plantar warts can grow deep into the skin and become more painful with time as the wart grows.

Initially, you may notice a thickening of the skin on the plantar area of your foot. The area may resemble a callus being tough and thick.
Plantar warts are painful when you walk or even just while standing still.
You may see small, black, seed-like dots on the bottom of your foot. These are dried blood spots lodged in your capillaries under the wart's surface.

Diagnosis and Treatment

To diagnose, one of the podiatrists at Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute will examine the bottom of your foot, looking for signs of a plantar wart.

Some plantar warts will eventually clear up on their own, but it can take a long time. The best treatment is to remove the entire wart. Today, there are a variety of ways to do that.

Treatment Options for Plantar Warts

Over-the-counter topical treatments are available and may provide some comfort, although they rarely cure the problem. Doctors may utilize laser therapy, cryotherapy (freezing the area), or acid treatments to remove a plantar wart.

Our staff will discuss treatment options with you to determine the best choice for you. No matter the form of treatment, it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations afterward.

More than one treatment may be necessary to eliminate your plantar wart. In a stubborn case, your doctor may suggest a biopsy to rule out other reasons behind your plantar wart's growth.

Other Foot-Related Issues Horizon Foot & Ankle Can Help You With

As the name implies, Horizon Foot & Ankle deals with all types of problems of the feet and ankles for those who live in the St. Louis area. We can help heal tendonitis or a stress fracture. We also offer treatment for toenail fungus, ingrown toenails, hammertoes, bone spurs, bunions, and fallen arches.

Plantar warts can be a more significant issue for someone with diabetes. So can poor circulation, foot neuropathy, and ulcers. Let us help you.

Contact Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute

We offer diagnosis and comprehensive treatment for plantar warts and other foot or ankle issues. Our office is near SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

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