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WARTS
Foot warts - also known as plantar warts - are a common condition treated by podiatrists. While they are not usually dangerous, they can be painful, spread to other areas, and become difficult to manage on your own. At Summit Foot + Ankle, we offer safe, effective wart removal and treatment to get you back to pain-free walking.
You may have WARTS
What are Warts?
Warts are small, rough growths on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). When they occur on the bottom of the foot, they are called plantar warts. These warts may grow inward due to pressure from standing or walking and can become quite uncomfortable.
What Causes Warts?
Warts are caused by direct contact with HPV, which enters the skin through tiny cuts, cracks, or weak spots. You can pick up the virus from:
- Public Areas: Locker rooms, showers, pools
- Direct Contact: Touching warts on yourself or others
- Shared Surfaces: Shoes, socks, towels contaminated with the virus
Children, teens, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop warts.
Symptoms
Warts on the feet can vary in size and appearance, but common signs include:
- Small, grainy growths on the bottom of the foot
- Black “pinpoint dots” (clotted blood vessels) in the wart
- Pain or tenderness when walking or standing
- A callus forming over the wart as it grows inward
- Clusters of warts (mosaic warts) in more severe cases
Warts can sometimes go away on their own, but professional treatment often speeds healingand prevents spreading.
Our podiatrists offer:
TREATMENTS:
Prescription Topical Treatments
Stronger than over-the-counter options
Cryotherapy
Freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen
Laser Therapy
Targeted treatment to destroy wart tissue
Surgical Removal
For resistant or painful warts
Immune-Boosting Treatments
To help your body fight the virus
Home Care & Prevention
You can help manage and prevent warts by:
- Keeping Feet Clean & Dry: Prevents virus from spreading
- Avoid Picking at Warts: Touching can spread the virus
- Wearing Sandals in Public Areas: Locker rooms, showers, and pools
- Disinfecting shoes & Socks: To reduce reinfection risk
- Boosting Immune Health: Good nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management can help your body fight HPV
PLANTAR FASCIITIS Q&A
Are plantar warts contagious?
Will warts go away without treatment?
Can I cut out a wart myself?
Do over-the-counter wart removers work?
How do I keep warts from coming back?
