Plantar warts are common skin growths appearing on the soles of the feet, particularly on weight-bearing areas like the heels or balls. These benign, non-cancerous growths are caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters the skin through tiny cuts or breaks on the foot’s surface.
Understanding Plantar Warts and Itchiness
While pain is a common symptom of plantar warts, especially when walking or standing, some individuals also experience itchiness. The wart’s dry, flaky skin can contribute to this sensation. Itchiness is normal, often indicating dry or irritated skin around the affected area.
Pressure from standing and walking often causes plantar warts to grow inward, leading to discomfort rather than itchiness. However, irritation from footwear friction or the wart’s general dryness can still trigger an itchy feeling. Scratching a plantar wart can lead to secondary bacterial infections, increasing discomfort, redness, or discolored skin.
Other Symptoms of Plantar Warts
Plantar warts typically present as small, rough, grainy lesions on the sole of the foot. Due to body weight pressure, they often appear flat or grow inward, sometimes covered by hard, thickened skin resembling a callus. They can vary in color, appearing dark pink, yellow, brown, purple, or gray.
A distinguishing feature of plantar warts is tiny black pinpoints, often called “wart seeds,” which are clotted blood vessels supplying the wart. Plantar warts can occur as a single growth or in clusters, known as mosaic warts. Another visual cue is the disruption of normal skin lines and ridges, which typically go around the wart instead of through it.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Consult a healthcare provider if a plantar wart causes persistent pain interfering with daily activities like walking or standing. Medical attention is also warranted if the wart changes appearance, color, or size, or if it begins to bleed. If self-treatment attempts are unsuccessful, or if the wart recurs or multiplies after treatment, professional guidance should be sought.
Individuals with certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or a weakened immune system, should seek medical advice for any new foot growths. Signs of infection, including increased pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or pus draining from the wart, also necessitate prompt medical evaluation. A healthcare provider can accurately diagnose the growth and recommend appropriate treatment options.