Plantar warts are small growths that appear on the sole of your foot. They sometimes appear on the top of the foot, too. The obvious symptom is a bubble on your foot that looks like a small, rough, and grainy growth. They cause discomfort and can be painful when you walk or stand.

You often see a black pinpoint in plantar warts. Contrary to what you might have heard, those aren’t roots or seeds that develop into more warts or grow into the skin to attach to a bone;  they’re actually small, clotted blood vessels.

Plantar warts are small growths that appear on the sole of your foot. They sometimes appear on the top of the foot, too. The obvious symptom is a bubble on your foot that looks like a small, rough, and grainy growth. They cause discomfort and can be painful when you walk or stand.

You often see a black pinpoint in plantar warts. Contrary to what you might have heard, those aren’t roots or seeds that develop into more warts or grow into the skin to attach to a bone;  they’re actually small, clotted blood vessels.

Plantar warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). They develop when the virus enters the skin of your feet through breaks, weak spots, and tiny cuts.

Not everyone who comes in contact with HPV develops warts. However, the virus thrives in warm, moist environments like public swimming pools or locker rooms.

Anyone can develop it, but it’s likely to affect:

• People with a weak immune system
• Children and teenagers
• People who have had plantar warts before
• People who walk barefoot in environments where HPV thrive

Your podiatric team begins treatment of your plantar wart by taking your medical history and reviewing your current medications, especially if you have a low immune system or diabetes.

Your doctor examines the lesion to determine if its really a plantar wart and may remove a small section for biopsy.

After he establishes that your lesion is a wart, your podiatrist discusses the available treatment options with you. They might include freezing it, applying or injecting an immune system boost, or removing the plantar wart with laser or surgery.