The human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause warts to develop on the soles of the feet, and while they aren’t harmful, they can cause foot pain, and disrupt your daily routine if left untreated.
At Premier Foot and Ankle Center in Worcester, and Webster, Massachusetts, our skilled podiatry team provides exceptional foot and ankle care, and can answer questions and provide effective foot wart treatment that restores comfort.
Plantar warts develop when specific strains of HPV infect the skin on the soles of your feet. Unlike other HPV strains linked to more serious conditions, the types responsible for plantar warts primarily target the thick skin of the feet. The virus enters through tiny cuts or cracks, triggering rapid skin cell growth that forms the thick wart.
Plantar warts have a rough texture and a black dot in the center caused by coagulated blood. While they aren’t dangerous, the pressure of walking with plantar warts can push the wart deeper into the skin, causing discomfort and irritation.
HPV thrives in warm, moist environments, making public spaces like locker rooms, pools, and communal showers hot spots for spreading HPV. Walking barefoot in these areas increases the chance of the virus entering your skin through small cuts or cracks in your feet.
Teens and adults in their 20s are most likely to contract plantar warts. The risk declines with age, and although plantar warts aren’t highly contagious, the virus can spread under the right conditions. Simply wearing flip-flops in shared spaces can reduce your risk of contracting HPV. Maintaining good foot hygiene, such as keeping your feet clean and dry, also plays a key role in prevention.
While plantar warts may seem like a minor nuisance, ignoring them can lead to bigger problems. A single wart can multiply into clusters, making them more challenging and painful to treat. Additionally, persistent warts may signal a weakened immune system, which could require further medical attention.
To avoid putting pressure on the affected area, it’s normal to subconsciously shift your weight, which can affect the way you walk. Over time, this can cause new issues, including pain in your legs, hips, or lower back. Addressing plantar warts early can prevent these secondary complications, and speed recovery.
In most cases plantar warts go away on their own in about two years. If they don’t resolve on their own, or if you’re experiencing pain and discomfort when walking, discuss treatment with our team.
At Premier Foot and Ankle Center, we offer several treatments to eliminate plantar warts. Topical solutions like salicylic acid gradually dissolve the wart over time, while cryotherapy plantar wart treatment uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart, so that it falls off naturally.
Additionally, custom orthotics can relieve pressure on the affected area and reduce discomfort. If conservative treatments aren’t effective, we can perform minor surgical procedures to remove the wart entirely.
Don’t let plantar warts disrupt your life or keep you from enjoying your daily activities. Our specialists here at Premier Foot and Ankle Center are dedicated to providing expert care and personalized treatment options. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and let’s work together to restore pain-free feet.
