Plantar Wart

Don’t wait for treatment if you think you have a plantar wart. Intervention can prevent the infection from spreading and improve your mobility. At Podiatry Institute of the South, the team of board-certified podiatrists offers various treatments for plantar warts, including cryotherapy and prescription-strength peeling medication. Call the nearest office in Senatobia, Mississippi, West Memphis, Arkansas, or Memphis, Millington, or Bartlett, Tennessee, to make an appointment or book online today. 

What is a plantar wart?

A plantar wart is a hard, round bump that forms on the weight-bearing areas of your feet. Plantar warts form when the human papillomavirus (HPV) infiltrates your body through scrapes or small breaks in your skin.

Plantar warts aren’t a serious problem, but if you have an underlying medical condition, like diabetes, they can increase your risk of complications, like an infection.

What are the symptoms of a plantar wart?

The symptoms of a plantar wart include:

• A tough, dome-shaped growth on the bottom of your foot
• Pain or tenderness when walking or standing
• Hard, thickened skin
• Discolored skin that’s brown or black

As the wart grows, you might also experience mobility issues that keep you from work or exercise.

When should I see a foot doctor about a plantar wart?

Make an appointment with the team at Podiatry Institute of the South if you have a wart and it doesn’t improve with over-the-counter treatments. That’s especially true if the wart continues growing or it affects your ability to do routine activities.

How is a plantar wart diagnosed?

To diagnose a plantar wart, your Podiatry Institute of the South provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms. Then, they examine your feet and toes, checking the size, color, and appearance of each wart. Your provider also collects a small sample of a wart and sends it to a nearby lab for biopsy.

How is a plantar wart treated?

Treatment of a plantar wart depends on various things, including your age, how many warts you have, and if you have any underlying health problems. The team might recommend:

• Cryotherapy (freezing the wart)
• Prescription-strength peeling medication (salicylic acid)
• Laser treatment
• Minor surgery

The goal of treatment is to remove the wart completely and prevent the infection from coming back. 

Is there any way to reduce the risk of plantar warts?

There’s no way to prevent plantar warts entirely, but you can significantly reduce your risk by practicing good hygiene. The team at Podiatry Institute of the South recommends keeping your feet clean and dry, wearing shoes in public areas, like locker rooms or gyms, and not sharing shoes or socks with others.

Call the nearest Podiatry Institute of the South office to receive treatment for plantar warts or book online today.