Foot Warts: Causes, Symptoms and When to See a Podiatrist

Foot warts are small, rough growths on the skin of the foot caused by a common virus, the human papillomavirus (HPV). The ones on the bottom of the foot are called plantar warts. They are very common, they are not a sign of poor hygiene, and many go away on their own, but they can be painful, stubborn and easy to pass along. If a growth on your foot hurts, keeps coming back or you are not sure what it is, it is worth having it looked at.

Here is a plain-language guide to what causes foot warts, what they look like, how they are treated and when it is time to call a podiatrist.

What causes warts on the feet?

Plantar warts are caused by HPV, which gets into the skin through a tiny cut or break, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The virus is contagious. It tends to spread in warm, damp places where many people walk barefoot, such as locker rooms, shower floors and pool decks. You can also spread it to other spots on your own feet.

Not everyone who is exposed to the virus gets a wart, which is why one person in a family may have one while others do not. Small scrapes, dry cracked skin and skin that stays wet for long periods can make it easier for the virus to get in.

What do foot warts look like?

Warts on the sole of the foot can be easy to confuse with a callus or a corn. Common signs include:

• A rough, grainy growth, often on the heel or ball of the foot
• Tiny black pinpoints inside the growth, which are small clotted blood vessels, as described by the Mayo Clinic
• Pain or tenderness when you walk or stand
• Skin lines that seem to stop or bend around the spot

Because the wart is on the bottom of your foot, your body weight presses on it with every step. That is why even a small one can feel like a stone in your shoe. If it hurts, your body is asking for help, so do not ignore it.

Is it a wart, a callus or something else?

Several foot problems can look alike. A callus is thickened skin from pressure or friction. A corn is a smaller, harder patch of thick skin, usually on a toe. Athlete’s foot and toenail problems are caused by fungus rather than a virus; you can read more in our posts on athlete’s foot and toenail fungus. Treatments for these are different, so a correct diagnosis matters. Trying a wart remedy on something that is not a wart can irritate the skin and delay the right care.

Do foot warts go away on their own?

Often, yes, but it can take a long time. The Cleveland Clinic notes that plantar warts often go away on their own after one to two years, and a review in the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed Central describes many warts clearing up over months to years. Waiting is not always comfortable, though. If the wart is painful, changes how you walk or is spreading, you do not have to simply wait it out.

Foot wart treatment options

Treatment depends on the wart, your health and how much it bothers you. Harvard Health Publishing lists options that include salicylic acid, which gently peels away the wart layer by layer, and cryotherapy, which freezes the wart. Some people try these at home with over-the-counter products, while others have them done in a doctor’s office.

A few cautions if you are tempted to treat a wart yourself:

• Do not cut or shave a wart. This can cause bleeding and may spread the virus.
• Follow product directions exactly, and keep acid treatments off healthy skin.
• Stop and get help if the area becomes more painful, red, or starts to drain.

At Opensky Podiatry, care is built around you. Dr. Opensky will examine the growth, confirm what it is, and talk through options tailored to your needs, so you are not guessing.

When to see a podiatrist for a foot wart

Book a visit if:

• The growth is painful, bleeds or changes in color or shape
• You are not sure it is a wart
• It has not improved with home treatment or keeps coming back
• You have several warts or they are spreading
• Walking has become uncomfortable and you are changing how you step

It is especially important not to self-treat if you have diabetes, reduced feeling in your feet or a weakened immune system. The Mayo Clinic advises people in these groups to see a health care provider. With diabetes, a small skin problem can become a bigger one, so our guide to diabetic foot care warning signs is worth a read too.

How to lower your chance of getting foot warts

• Wear sandals or shower shoes in locker rooms, public showers and around pools.
• Keep your feet clean and dry, and change damp socks.
• Do not share towels, shoes or socks with someone who has a wart.
• Cover any cuts or scrapes on your feet.
• Avoid picking at or scratching a wart.

These habits cannot guarantee you will never get a wart, but they reduce your exposure to the virus.

Foot wart care in Skokie and Whiting

Dr. Brian Opensky has 22 years of experience as a board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon. Patients see us at our Skokie and Whiting offices for compassionate and expert care, and we accept 200+ insurance plans. If weekday times are hard for you, new patients can ask about evening and weekend hours. Learn more about our foot and ankle care, or call 708-747-8994 or book an appointment today.

FAQ

Are foot warts contagious?

Yes. The virus that causes them can spread through direct contact and from damp surfaces such as locker room floors. Covering the wart and not sharing towels or shoes helps protect others.

Why does my foot wart hurt?

Plantar warts sit on the bottom of the foot, where your weight presses on them with each step. That pressure can make them tender or painful when you stand or walk.

What are the black dots in a foot wart?

They are small clotted blood vessels. They are a common sign of a plantar wart, but only an exam can confirm what a growth really is.

Can I treat a foot wart at home?

Some people use over-the-counter salicylic acid products. If you have diabetes, poor feeling in your feet or a weakened immune system, or you are unsure it is a wart, see a provider first.

Will a foot wart go away without treatment?

Many do, but it may take months or even a year or two. If it hurts or spreads, treatment can help you get comfortable sooner.

Sources

• Plantar Warts: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Removal. Cleveland Clinic. my.clevelandclinic.org
• Plantar warts: Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. mayoclinic.org
• Plantar warts: Options for treating this common foot condition. Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School. health.harvard.edu
• Paediatric Cutaneous Warts and Verrucae: An Update. National Library of Medicine (PubMed Central). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

This article is for general education and is not medical advice. If you have a painful, bleeding or changing growth on your foot, or you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, see a podiatrist or your doctor.