Skip to main content
856-667-8222

Plantar Wart

Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey Our Services Plantar Wart

Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey

Podiatry located in Cherry Hill, NJ

Most people get a wart on the bottom of their foot at some point in their life, but plantar warts that are painful or don’t disappear with home treatments may require professional care at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey. Their highly trained podiatrists diagnose and treat plantar warts at their location in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. If you have a stubborn or painful plantar wart, call or book an appointment online today.

Plantar Wart Q & A

What is a plantar wart?

A plantar wart, or verruca plantaris, is a small growth on the bottom of your foot. Plantar warts can grow anywhere on your foot, but they’re most common beneath the heels and other weight-bearing areas.

Plantar warts typically appear as small, rough, and grainy bumps on your foot. You may have a single wart (solitary wart) or cluster of several tiny warts growing close together (mosaic wart). The wart may have black pinpoints in the center, which are small, clotted blood vessels.

What causes plantar warts?

Plantar warts result from infection of the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 types of HPV. Many strains cause warts to develop on various parts of the body. You may get plantar warts when the HPV virus enters your body through a small cut or crack in your skin.

The strains of HPV that cause plantar warts aren’t highly contagious, and not everyone who’s exposed to the virus develops warts. However, you may increase your risk of developing a plantar wart if you walk around barefoot, especially in warm, wet areas where HPV thrives.

When should I see a podiatrist for plantar warts?

Most plantar warts aren't a serious problem. You should schedule an appointment at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey if:

  • The wart is painful and interferes with activities
  • The growth is bleeding or changes in appearance
  • You aren’t sure if the growth is a wart
  • The wart persists despite treatment
  • You have diabetes or a weakened immune system

There are many over-the-counter wart treatments available. If you’ve tried these without success, the team at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey can help.

How are plantar warts diagnosed and treated?

Your podiatrist can diagnose a plantar wart by examining your foot and reviewing your symptoms and medical history. If they suspect the growth could be something other than a wart, they may take a small tissue sample (biopsy) for lab testing.

Then, they recommend the best course of treatment for your specific type of wart. Treatment may include:

  • Prescription wart medications
  • Freezing (cryotherapy)
  • Laser treatment

Warts are difficult to treat, so you may need to try more than one method. If plantar warts are bothering you, call or book an appointment online today at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey.

Featured

Services