Plantar warts are common skin growths on the soles of the feet. Attempting to pull out a plantar wart is not recommended and can lead to complications.
What Are Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are benign growths on the bottom of the foot, caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus enters the skin through tiny cuts or breaks, often in warm, moist environments like public showers or pools. Once the virus enters, it causes skin cells to grow rapidly, forming a rough, grainy bump. These warts typically appear on weight-bearing areas such as the heels or balls of the feet, and the pressure from walking can cause them to grow inward, beneath a hard layer of skin. They often have small black dots, which are clotted blood vessels, and can be painful when squeezed or when pressure is applied. This distinguishes them from corns or calluses, which are thickened skin areas caused by friction or pressure and do not contain these black dots or viral material.
Risks of Self-Removal
Plantar warts often extend deeper into the skin than they appear, making complete removal difficult without proper tools or medical expertise. Trying to remove them can cause severe pain and bleeding. Incomplete removal means a portion of the wart or virus may remain, leading to recurrence or spread to other areas or people. Self-removal creates an open wound, increasing the risk of bacterial infection, especially on the feet. This can also result in scarring, which may be painful if it occurs on a weight-bearing part of the foot.
Effective Home Care and When to See a Doctor
For initial home management, over-the-counter treatments containing salicylic acid are a common and effective approach. These products, available as patches, gels, or liquids, work by gradually breaking down the layers of the wart. Applying salicylic acid typically involves soaking the wart in warm water, gently filing away softened skin with a pumice stone or emery board, and then applying the product, repeating daily for several weeks or months.
While duct tape occlusion therapy or apple cider vinegar may be suggested, their effectiveness is mixed. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, but concentrated forms can cause chemical burns. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.
It is advisable to consult a healthcare provider if home treatments do not improve the wart after several weeks, or if the wart grows larger, spreads, or causes significant pain. Professional medical attention is also important if the wart bleeds, shows signs of infection like redness or swelling, or if you have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, poor circulation, or a weakened immune system. Such conditions can complicate healing and increase infection risk.
Professional Treatment Approaches
If home remedies are insufficient or a wart is persistent, a healthcare provider can offer professional treatment options. Cryotherapy involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, destroying the wart tissue and causing a blister to form, leading to the wart eventually falling off. This method may require multiple sessions.
Prescription-strength topical medications, such as higher concentrations of salicylic acid or cantharidin, can be applied in a clinical setting. Cantharidin causes a blister to form beneath the wart, lifting it from the skin. Surgical removal, also known as excision, involves carefully cutting away the wart with a scalpel or using an electric current to burn it off. Laser treatment uses a focused beam of light to heat and destroy the tiny blood vessels supplying the wart, effectively cutting off its blood supply. In some cases, immunotherapy may be used to stimulate the body’s immune system to fight the human papillomavirus directly.
Preventing Future Warts
Preventing plantar warts involves reducing exposure to the human papillomavirus and maintaining good foot hygiene. Avoid walking barefoot in public areas like communal showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools, as these are common environments for the virus. Wearing sandals or flip-flops in these locations helps create a protective barrier.
Keeping feet clean and dry is also beneficial, as damp skin can be more susceptible to viral entry. Changing socks daily, especially if they become damp, and choosing moisture-wicking materials can help maintain a dry environment.
Avoid sharing personal items like shoes, socks, towels, or nail clippers, as the virus can spread through direct or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces. If you have a wart, covering it with a bandage can help prevent its spread to other areas of your body or to other individuals.