Plantar Warts

Warts are never welcome anywhere on your body, but plantar warts are especially bad because they’re on the bottom of your feet. If you’re feeling the pain with every step, Sameep Chandrani, DPM, AACFAS, and the team at Mercer Foot and Ankle Center, LLC, can eliminate those irritating warts with a quick in-office procedure. Call the office in Hamilton, New Jersey, or request an appointment online today. 

What are plantar warts?

Plantar warts are warts on your foot soles. This type of wart spreads easily and often grows in clusters. Because you walk and stand on plantar warts, they can be pretty painful. You may feel like you’re constantly walking with pebbles stuck in your shoe. 

Plantar warts often contain small black dots in the middle of the wart that are actually small burst blood vessels. Plantar warts are generally much flatter than other types of warts because you push them in with your body weight every day.

It’s quite common to develop calluses, thick pads of rough skin, over plantar warts. The calluses can push plantar warts deeper into your foot and intensify the pain. 

Why do I have plantar warts?

Plantar warts come from human papillomavirus (HPV). Any little cut or scrape on the sole of your foot allows HPV to get in if you walk barefoot in a damp environment where the virus breeds. The most dangerous areas include public showers, swimming pools, and gym locker rooms. 

You can also get plantar warts if your feet directly touch an affected person’s feet. It’s even possible to transfer plantar warts from one of your feet to the other through direct contact. 

How can I get rid of plantar warts?

Plantar wart treatment at Mercer Foot and Ankle Center, LLC, is painless and simple. There are a few different approaches:

• Paring calluses over the warts
• Topical acid solution to remove warts in layers
• Laser therapy
• Surgical wart removal under local anesthesia

Sometimes, you may need a combination treatment to permanently remove your plantar warts. This kind of wart can be quite persistent because it’s difficult to eliminate HPV from your body. It’s crucial to complete all recommended treatments and then take steps to avoid plantar wart recurrence. 

Going forward, it’s important to always wear shoes in public places. Keep your feet clean and dry, and if you notice any changes in your feet or you suspect exposure to HPV, visit Mercer Foot and Ankle Center, LLC, for an exam as soon as possible. 

For painless onsite plantar wart treatment, call Mercer Foot and Ankle Center, LLC, or request an appointment online today.