Plantar Warts
Overview
Causes
Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). A person can get the virus from direct contact with HPV. This can happen by walking on a surface infected with the virus. Touching and scratching can cause the virus to spread.
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Plantar warts may cause:
- Pain and tenderness
- Hard, flat growths on the bottom of the feet
- A rough surface with a defined border
- A center with pinpoints of black
Treatments
Treatment
The goal of treatment in healthy children and adults is to remove the wart. It is also to stop the virus from spreading. This can be done with:
- Duct tape to cover the wart and a pumice stone to sand it down
- Over the counter or prescription wart remover medicine
- Cryotherapy—freezing the warts to kill the virus
- Laser treatment—using a laser to kill the virus and destroy wart tissue
Treatments may not always work. However, plantar warts often go away on their own,
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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