What are plantar warts?

Plantar warts are caused by the human papilloma virus. There are many strains of the human papilloma virus and being a virus it is contagious. Warts can occur through being infected by the virus via a small break in the skin or it may already be present in the body and warts can occur at any time. Plantar warts often appear different to warts on other areas of the body and can be flatter and often confused with corns.  Sometimes black dots are present in the wart which is a result of small capillaries that “feed” the wart .

Symptoms:

• Small bumps of the surface of the skin, the skin surface may appear irregular
• Small black dots inside the wart
• When warts are in a weight bearing or friction area they can be painful
• Can have appearance of a flat cauliflower

Causes:

Warts can be cause through exposure to the virus through as small break in the skin or the eruption of existing virus. Warts may spread by being picked at or scraped. A weakened immune system may increase your chance of getting the virus.

Treatment Options:

Due to the very common confusion between warts and corns, a diagnosis first by a podiatrist is best before commencing on a treatment plan. Warts that are small, non-painful and are not increasing in size and number can be left alone for the body’s immune system to fight. Warts that are painful and spreading may require treatment by a podiatrist. Warts that are on the sole of the foot should never be “cut” out as the skin on the sole of the foot is different and scar tissue on the sole can be very painful and permanent.