More about Plantar Warts...

Some Common Causes

  • They are formed by a virus- just as a virus causes the common cold. Only this time the virus is inside a cell.
  • The virus usually enters the body through a small cut or other abrasion that has broken the skin. Once inside it can spread quite quickly.
  • As the virus grows it pushes healthy skin away from it - which is why it’s known as a space-occupying lesion.
  • They are highly contagious.

The Main Symptoms

  • They can look like small bumps that are raised up or they can appear to be sunken into the skin with small black centres.
  • They can be found on their own or in clusters.
  • They can be very painful - or you may not even know they were there.
  • Each symptom is dependant on what type of the virus is causing the problem and there are over 150 different types of the virus.
  • If you feel you are walking with a small stone in your shoe all the time you may have a wart, or it could be a corn. The two are very similar in feeling, but very different in makeup.

Cathy Bowen
MSc DPodM ILTM, Podiatrist

Plantar Warts

Plantar Warts are visible marks on your feet that vary in size from a pinhead to quite large. Usually found on the bottom of your foot they are sometimes raised up and could be found accompanied by an area of hard skin.

Suggested Treatments for Plantar Warts

Prevention is better than cure - always wear sandals or "flip-flops" in communal areas if you can.
You can use various over the counter applications of wart treatment products. Please read the instructions very carefully before using these products.
If in any doubt about whether the problem is a corn, or a wart, go and get it seen by a HPC registered Podiatrist who will diagnose the condition accurately and advise you on treatment.
Remember - just like the common cold - a wart can disappear just as quickly as it arrived.

Other customers have found these useful for Plantar Warts...


Foot Essentials Banish That Blotch 25ml		  

Treating your condition

The Traffic Light symbol at the top of each condition page indicates the way you should approach it:

Red: Seek professional help immediately, either from a suitably qualified Podiatrist or Physiotherapist.
Amber:  You can treat this condition yourself BUT you should seek professional help if you want reassurance that what you are doing is the best approach for you.
Green: You can treat this condition yourself if you feel comfortable doing so. However, for further reassurance it might be as well to talk the condition through with a suitably qualified Podiatrist.

Remember this advice is for guidance only and if you are in any doubt at all, please consult your nearest HPC Registered Podiatrist.