Plantar Warts: Causes, Symptoms and Care Options
Health Articles > Warts > Plantar Warts
Key Takeaways
Plantar warts, also known as verrucas, are growths or bumps that usually appear on the balls of your feet, around your toes, or on your heels. Their name comes from the word plantar, which is the medical term for the sole of the foot. They can appear individually or in clusters (known as mosaic warts) and may be especially painful because of the pressure caused by your body weight when standing or walking.
Plantar warts are contagious and can affect both adults and children. They can be particularly stubborn and hard to get rid of once they have taken a firm hold, so addressing them sooner rather than later is recommended.
Continue reading for more information about plantar warts, including symptoms, causes, prevention, remedies, and when to seek medical advice.
In this post:
What Are Plantar Warts and What Do They Look Like?
Symptoms of Plantar Warts
What Causes Plantar Warts and How Do They Spread?
Plantar Wart vs Corn vs Callus: Key Differences
How To Prevent Plantar Warts
Plantar Wart Remedies and Care Options
Natural Topical Care For Plantar Warts
Why H-Warts Is a Good Homeopathic Option for Plantar Warts
When to See a Doctor for Plantar Warts
Plantar Warts: Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
What Do Plantar Warts Look Like?
Plantar warts are small growths which usually appear on the soles of the feet. If you're unsure whether you've got a plantar wart, here are some key identifying features to look out for:
- Thick, rough or hard skin spots
- Gray, brown, yellow, pink, or flesh-colored
- Containing small dark red or black spots
Note: These warts may appear lighter on darker skin tones.
Symptoms of Plantar Warts
Common plantar wart symptoms include the following:
- Small, rough growths with a dry crusty surface, usually located on the soles of the feet.
- Pain or tenderness when walking or standing - you can compare this to walking on a small stone.
- The appearance of small black dots inside the growth - these are dried up capillary blood vessels.
If you are in doubt as to whether you or your child has a plantar wart, try squeezing it between your fingers in a pinching motion. If it is painful, this may be a clue that you are dealing with a plantar wart. However, it is recommended to have a medical professional confirm the diagnosis if you are unsure.
What Causes Plantar Warts and How Do They Spread?
Plantar warts are contagious and spread easily through direct and indirect contact. They are extremely common in both children and adults.
Common circumstances for spreading plantar warts include:
- Having direct skin to skin contact with someone else's wart or another wart on your body
- Sharing shoes, socks, or other items with someone who has a plantar wart
- Being barefoot in communal spaces e.g., locker rooms and gyms
- Having a cut or scrape on your foot
Plantar Wart vs Corn vs Callus: Key Differences
Plantar warts are different from other common foot lesions like corns and calluses. You can explore the key differences between these three conditions in the table below.
| Warts | Corns | Calluses | |
| Cause | Viral infection | Friction/pressure from footwear | Repeated friction or pressure |
| Appearance | Rough, grainy growths, might have black/red dots | Small and circular with a hard center | Thick, rough, flat patches of skin |
| Location | Heels, balls of feet, near toes | Top, sides, and in between toes | Soles, heels, or balls of feet |
| Pain | Can be painful when pressure is applied from the sides | Generally painful when pressed | Not usually painful |
| Skin line disruption | Can disrupt skin lines | Skin lines remain intact | Skin lines remain intact |
| Contagious | Yes | No | No |
| Tendency to fade | Can fade but may require additional care | Not unless what's pressuring it is removed | Not unless what's causing the friction is removed |
| Commonly affects | Both children and adults | Individuals who wear shoes that don't fit well | Athletes and people who are on their feet a lot |
How To Prevent Plantar Warts
Certain people are more prone to getting warts than others. Prevention is possible but not always guaranteed. Here are some tips for preventing plantar warts:
- Do not share socks, towels, shoes, or nail clippers
- Do not walk barefoot in communal spaces
- Try to always keep your feet clean and dry
- Do not touch other warts on your body or on other people
Plantar Wart Remedies and Care Options
There are a range of different ways you can care for plantar warts, including both at-home and professional options.
At-home care:
- Homeopathic products like H-Warts Formula
- Freezing kits
- Salicylic acid
- Duct tape method
Professional care:
- Surgical removal
- Laser
- Immunotherapy
- Electrosurgery
- Curettage
Note: Some warts may prove to be more difficult to care for than others. A medical professional will be able to advise you on what will work best for your specific wart.
Natural Topical Care For Plantar Warts
Plantar warts can prove challenging to take care of as they're under so many layers of skin. However, H-Warts Formula is a great option for anyone looking for a gentle, at-home approach.
Benefits of natural care for plantar warts:
- Helps support the skin by reducing inflammation
- Reduces the size and appearance of the wart
- Gentle to use on the skin
- Pain-free with no freezing, burning or peeling
Why H-Warts Is a Good Homeopathic Option for Plantar Warts
H-Warts Formula is an excellent homeopathic option for plantar warts due to its unique combination of ingredients:
- Thuja Occidentalis in the formula targets the wart at its source, helping to stimulate the body's natural defenses and promote the breakdown of the wart tissue.
- Tea Tree Oil is well known for its natural antiseptic and antiviral properties, which help keep the area clean and support the healing process.
- Lemon Peel Oil provides additional skin-soothing and toning benefits, helping to restore the skin's natural appearance.
This blend of plant-based, homeopathic ingredients makes H-Warts a gentle yet effective alternative to harsh chemical treatments, ideal for those seeking a natural approach to managing plantar warts.
Additionally, H-Warts Formula fits easily into daily routines and can be used on children from the age of 4 and up.
Note: Results will vary from person to person, especially if you have more than one wart.
When to See a Doctor for Plantar Warts
Plantar warts can go away by themselves, however, it might take up to two years for them to feel like they're fully gone and, during this time, they can be painful and difficult to deal with.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms it is advised that you see a medical professional.
- Your wart has grown in size and/or changed color
- Your wart is bleeding, burning or itching
- Topical care is not working (even with consistent use) and/or your wart has multiplied
- You experience signs of infection, including a wart that feels hot to the touch, and is red or producing pus
- You're unsure if the growth is actually a wart
Plantar Warts: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Plantar Warts Go Away On Their Own?
Yes, a plantar wart may go away on its own. However, this process can take up to two years and, during this time, the wart can feel painful and tender.
Do Children Get Plantar Warts Often?
Yes, children are more likely to get plantar warts than adults. Children are more exposed to communal places like gyms and swimming pools, and their immune systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to developing plantar warts.
Can Plantar Warts Come Back?
Yes, plantar warts can come back if the affected area has not been fully cleared. By keeping the area clean and being consistent with how you care for your warts, you can help reduce the chances of them coming back.
Is It Safe To Pick or Cut Plantar Warts?
No, this is not safe and can actually make your warts much worse. Any new wart or growth should be checked by a medical professional first before attempting anything at home.
Where Do You Get Plantar Warts?
Plantar warts are mainly found on the soles of the feet, the ball of the feet, near the toes and the heel.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. Plantar Warts
- Cleveland Clinic. Warts
- Mayo Clinic. Plantar Warts
- Medical News Today. How to identify types of warts
- Medline Plus. Warts
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Warts that are bleeding, changing in appearance, spreading, painful, or keep returning, as well as any signs of infection such as redness, swelling or discharge, should be assessed by a qualified medical professional. H-Warts Formula is a cosmetic product and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.