Warts are one of the most common types of noncancerous skin growths. In fact, around 33% of children and 5% of adults have at least one wart.
Warts can appear almost anywhere on your body, and they range widely in size and shape. Most warts are usually harmless, but they can be embarrassing. And certain types — like plantar warts — can be uncomfortable.
Plantar warts that develop on the weight-bearing parts of your feet may cause pain and even change the way you walk. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with them. Lisa Burson, DPM, Joe Aoun, DPM, and our team at The Foot & Ankle Specialists treat plantar warts with professional wart removal techniques.
Like many other types of warts, plantar warts start with a virus. Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes plantar warts, and it’s extremely common in places like pools, locker rooms, and anywhere people go barefoot.
HPV can enter your body through small cuts and scrapes on the soles of your feet, and a plantar wart starts to develop. These warts grow into your skin, forming a hardened patch of tissue. In fact, most plantar warts look like calluses with small black dots (wart seeds) in the center.
Plantar warts can grow anywhere on your foot, but they’re usually found on weight-bearing parts like your heel or the ball of your foot. When a large wart forms in one of these areas, it can press on the nerves of your foot and make walking and standing uncomfortable.
If you have a painful or embarrassing wart, don’t wait to seek treatment. Dr. Burson and Dr. Aoun offer professional wart evaluations, and we can recommend an effective treatment to eliminate the wart.
Small, surface-level warts can sometimes be treated with over-the-counter wart remedies. However, store-bought treatments usually aren’t strong enough to make a difference for larger and deeper warts.
Our team has a range of professional-grade wart treatments available for tougher warts. Depending on your wart, we might recommend:
All these options are topical, which means no cuts or incisions are necessary. We either apply a strong liquid to gradually remove the wart or use cryotherapy, which involves intense cold temperatures, to safely kill the wart tissue.
Several treatment sessions might be necessary, but we’re dedicated to helping you find a wart removal solution that really works. In rare cases, we may recommend surgery to permanently remove complex warts. Once your wart is gone, you can expect reduced foot discomfort when you stand and walk.
Embarrassed by a painful plantar wart? Stop suffering in silence. Book a consultation at The Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bay City, Caro, or Lapeer, Michigan, for wart removal help. Contact us online, or call to schedule.
