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Plantar Warts: More Conditions & Symptoms

Plantar warts are viral infections on the soles of the feet caused by the human papillomavirus subtype 1. HPV infects the outer layer of the skin and causes a painful callus-like growth. Of the many common types of warts, 7 to 10 percent of adult warts are plantar warts.

  1. Identification

    • There is no medical evidence to support an established incubation period from the moment of infection to the appearance of visible symptoms; however, this period may be months or years in some cases. Plantar warts start as slight bumps or interruptions in the normal skin lines of the foot, then harden and become rough to the touch. Plantar warts located in areas of pressure are forced beneath the superficial layer of the skin, and the body naturally forms a protective callus-like layer of tough skin over the wart. As the wart develops, it may develop gray or brown bumps within the callus, and in some cases small pinpoints of black or brown -- clotted blood vessels -- can be seen just below the surface. Eventually, as the wart gets larger, walking becomes painful. In some patients, multiple plantar warts develop in one area, forming a cluster of warts called a mosaic wart.

    Risks

    • The virus that causes plantar warts thrives in moist areas, including locker rooms and certain workplaces. People can contract plantar warts through direct contact with an infected person via sharing footwear and frequenting public showers and swimming pools. HPV commonly infects those with weakened immune systems or people who have had recent skin trauma with open wounds that allow the virus to enter the body. Plantar warts can be passed around the body by touching or scratching infected areas of the foot and transferring those infected cells to other anatomical locations.

    Treatments

    • Doctors diagnose warts by examining the infected area. In difficult cases, they may take a sample of affected skin cells and test them for HPV. In some cases, plantar warts will resolve themselves owing to the body's production of immune lymphocytes that attack and destroy the infected cells. In other cases, home treatments, such as over-the-counter chemicals that contain salicylic acid, are used. In rare cases it may be necessary to seek a physician's help removing the wart. See a doctor if you experience excessive pain, swelling, redness and bleeding at the site of infection. The staff at the Mayo Clinic also advises forgoing home treatments if you have diabetes or circulatory problems. Doctors may use a variety of methods to remove plantar warts, including a mild acid or acid mixture that is applied topically to the wart. Other methods include laser removal and curettage or desiccation; both techniques may leave scars.

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