Plantar Warts

Up to 10% of people get plantar warts sometime during their lives. At A&A Foot and Ankle Specialists, LLC, in Hackettstown, New Jersey, board-certified podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeons An Nguyen, DPM, and Anna Wojcik-Stepien, DPM, offer high-quality care for plantar warts. They provide several types of in-office treatment that can stop the infection from spreading and restore your mobility. Call the office to schedule treatment for plantar warts, or book your visit online today.

Is it true that plantar warts only affect children and teens?

Plantar warts are small, hard growths that form on weight-bearing areas, such as the balls or heels of the feet. They occur when a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters your body through a cut or another break in your skin.

Plantar warts occur in people from all backgrounds but are most common in children and teens. Researchers aren’t entirely sure why, but it’s thought young people are more susceptible because their immune systems are still maturing.

Do plantar warts present symptoms?

Plantar wart symptoms include the following:

• Pain or tenderness when walking or standing
• Small, rough growths on the bottoms of the feet or toes
• Hard, thickened skin
• A cluster of growths together (mosaic warts)

Plantar warts often look similar to other benign growths, but warts are different in that they have a black spot in the center. 

Should I see a podiatrist about plantar warts?

Make an appointment at A&A Foot and Ankle Specialists, LLC, if you have one or more growths on the bottoms of your feet that are painful, bleeding, or changing color. That’s especially true if the pain interferes with your daily routine or you have a weak immune system due to an underlying health problem, like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.

How does a podiatrist diagnose plantar warts?

Your A&A Foot and Ankle Specialists, LLC provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and examines the wart (or warts) on the bottom of your feet. Warts are visible to the eye, but your provider might collect a biopsy sample and send it to a lab for additional testing.

How do podiatrists treat plantar warts?

A&A Foot and Ankle Specialists, LLC takes a conservative, patient-centered approach to plantar wart treatment. They might recommend:

• Freezing the wart (cryotherapy)
• Removing the wart with peeling medication (salicylic acid)
• Minor surgery to remove the wart
• Laser treatment
• Immunotherapy

No matter which treatment your provider suggests, it’s essential to do two very important things:

Cover the wart

Keep your wart covered at all times, so it can’t spread to other parts of your body or other people.

Wash your hands

Anytime you touch, clean, or bandage the wart, wash your hands to prevent spreading the infection to others. 

Call A&A Foot and Ankle Specialists, LLC, to receive treatment for plantar warts, or make your appointment online today.