Plantar warts also known as veruuca pedis are benign small rough lumps containing nerve endings and blood vessels that occur on the bottom of the foot in both children and adults.

They are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is the same virus that leads to warts on the hands and other areas of the body. Therefore warts are contagious and are spread from person to person via direct skin to skin contact.

Persons are more susceptible to infection if they have a poor immune system (i.e. AIDS and chemotherapy), the skin is damaged, wet, macerated and in contact with roughened surfaces i.e. swimming pools and communal shower rooms.

In their early stages they appear as small black puncture marks, but as they grow they turn brown and take on a cauliflower-like appearance. A black spot may develop in the middle, which is caused by bleeding. Usually a layer of callus develops over them.

Plantar warts are considered harmless and do not have any health risks. However, they may require treatment if they are painful, spreading or of aesthetic concern.
Warts of the foot are frequently painful due to them being pushed deep into the skin by the weight of the body as you walk.

At Mint Foot Care Podiatry, our plantar wart treatment begins by performing a physical examination. Based on past history and treatment of warts, lifestyle, health, quantity and size of warts a treatment plan will be described.

Based on the findings a combination of plantar wart treatment options may be prescribed including:

• Chemical cautery
• Cryotherapy
• Multiple punctate therapy