Plantar Warts – Symtoms and Causes
What Are Plantar Warts?
Plantar warts are rough, grainy growths that appear on the feet. They typically show up on the heels or balls of the feet where pressure is greatest.
These growths may grow inward beneath calloused skin due to the weight placed on them when walking.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes warts by entering through small cuts or breaks on the soles of the feet.
For most people, plantar warts don’t pose serious health risks. They often disappear on their own without treatment, particularly in children under 12 years old.
Signs and Symptoms
Plantar warts possess a variety of unique characteristics. You might notice a small, rough growth on the bottom of your foot, typically near the base of your toes or on the ball or heel area.
In people with brown or black skin, this growth may appear lighter than the surrounding skin.
A hard, thickened layer of skin (callus) often forms over the wart as it grows inward. Many plantar warts contain tiny black dots, which are actually small clotted blood vessels, sometimes called wart seeds.
Some people develop clusters of warts on the sole of the foot, known as mosaic warts. You might also notice that the wart disrupts the normal lines and ridges in the skin of your foot.
Common symptoms include:
- Small, rough growth on the foot’s bottom
- Hard, thickened skin on the affected area
- Black pinpoints within the wart
- Clusters of growths (mosaic warts)
- Disruption of normal skin lines
- Pain or tenderness when walking or standing
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Seek medical attention if the growth on your foot is bleeding, painful, or changes in appearance. Also see a doctor if you’ve tried home treatments but the wart persists, multiplies, or returns after clearing up.
Medical care is especially important if:
- Pain interferes with your daily activities
- You have diabetes or reduced sensation in your feet
- You have a weakened immune system from medications or conditions like HIV/AIDS
- You’re uncertain whether the growth is actually a wart
Early evaluation can prevent complications and help determine the most effective treatment approach.
What Causes Plantar Warts
Plantar warts develop when specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV) infect the outer layer of skin on the soles of the feet.
The virus enters through small cuts or weak spots in the skin. Without treatment, these warts can persist for months to years.
HPV is widespread, with over 100 different types existing in our environment. Nevertheless, only certain strains specifically target the feet.
How the Virus Spreads
People respond differently to HPV exposure based on their immune systems. Coming into contact with the virus doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop warts. Even family members living together may have different reactions when exposed to the same virus.
The HPV types that cause plantar warts aren’t easily transmitted between people through direct contact. However, the virus thrives in warm, moist environments. You might get infected by walking barefoot in public shower areas, swimming pools, or locker rooms.
If the initial wart isn’t treated, the virus can spread to other areas of your foot, creating additional warts. The virus from an existing wart can spread to a nearby cut or weak spot in the skin.
Risk Factors
People who might get plantar warts include:
- Children and teens
- Those with weakened immune systems
- Individuals who have had these warts previously
- People who walk barefoot in public places like pool areas and locker rooms
Complications
Plantar warts that cause pain can lead to changes in how you stand, walk, or run. You might adjust your posture without even noticing it. These subtle changes can eventually cause discomfort in your muscles and joints.
Your body naturally tries to avoid pain by shifting weight away from tender areas. This compensation can put extra stress on other parts of your body over time.
Preventing Foot Warts
You can take several steps to avoid getting plantar warts:
- Avoid touching warts directly, including your own. Always wash hands thoroughly after contact with any wart.
- Keep feet dry and clean to reduce risk.
- Use protective footwear, like sandals, in public wet areas such as pool decks, locker rooms, and shower facilities.
- Resist picking or scratching at warts to prevent their spreading.
- Utilize dedicated nail tools exclusively for treating warts. Don’t use the same emery boards, pumice stones, or nail clippers on both warts and healthy skin.
