Common Conditions We Treat

What are the symptoms of plantar warts?

Plantar warts are small, rough, and often round lumps on the skin.

They may have small black specks within that bleed when the surface is cut or shaved; these are abnormal capillaries or blood vessels feeding the wart.

A Plantar wart may or may not be painful. They can be spread in showers, around swimming pools, by sharing shoes, towels and socks, etc 

By closely observing the skin lines, plantar warts can often be differentiated from corns. Feet, like hands, are covered in skin lines or “fingerprints”. With verrucae, the skin “fingerprints” goes around the lesion. If the lesion is not a verruca, the fingerprints continue across the top layer of the skin.

Plantar warts tend to be painful when pressure is applied from either side of the lesion rather than direct pressure.

Corns tend to be painful on direct pressure rather than pressure from either side. The difference between plantar warts and warts on other parts of the body is that warts are generally outgrowth lesions, but on the bottom of the foot, they are pushed inward by the pressure of walking.

What are the causes of plantar warts?

Specifically, the Human Papilloma Viral infection to the sole of the foot, infection by the virus is possible anywhere on the body and common, especially on the palm of the hand. Because of pressure on the sole of the foot, a layer of hard skin will usually form over the wart.

The virus may live on the surface of our skin for some time without us knowing. Usually, we tend to be low in ourselves or have a low immune system, which then allows this virus to become opportunistic and invade the epidermis layer of our skin.

What should I do If I have a Plantar wart?

If you have a plantar wart, you should arrange an appointment with our podiatrists in Birmingham at Footfix for treatment.

• Avoid walking barefoot in public areas such as showers and public changing rooms.
• Change shoes and socks daily and regularly clean your shoes on the inside.
• Maintain good general foot health and keep your feet clean.
• Avoid sharing shoes and socks.
• Avoid direct contact with warts on other parts of the body.
• Avoid direct contact with warts on other persons.

Podiatry treatment for plantar warts

Since the skin on the bottom of the foot tends to be thicker, treating plantar warts is more complicated. When discussing treatments, no treatment in everyday use is 100% effective. 

Podiatrists are considered specialists in the treatment of plantar warts. Although immunization is available for the HPV and strains causing cervical cancer, there is currently no vaccination treatment for plantar warts.

The treatment of warts by keratolysis involves the peeling away of dead surface skin cells with chemicals like salicylic acid.

Cryosurgery is a common treatment that works by producing a blister under the wart. It is sometimes uncomfortable but usually non-scarring. 

Needling / Faulkner Procedure of the wart is an option for lots of verruca on the feet. This usually involves having a local anaesthetic and then using a needle to impregnate the wart into the body. This procedure has to be done a second time, usually three months after the first.  

Here at Footfix, we have extensive training in using these products and methods as well as surgical options concerning warts.

Patiently waiting may be appropriate since many warts will eventually resolve on their own accord; however, this can take a very long time in some cases.

Warts may spread, develop into clusters or fuse to become a mosaic wart. Plantar warts can be painful, making it difficult to walk and run.

Overaggressive treatment may lead to scarring. Others may get infected. If a wart is being treated professionally and does not seem to improve in a reasonable period, the growth should be excised.

To book an appointment to see how we can help with your verruca or wart, give us a call on 0121 384 3244; alternatively, you can use our online booking system.