Worry Warts: 3 Ways to Treat a Pesky Plantar Problem

Your feet are always hustling. Specifically, the soles of your feet are under persistent strain throughout the day, bearing your full weight as you move. And that strain, when paired with human papillomavirus, can produce plantar warts. 

How, you ask? Simple: HPV infiltrates your body through even the tiniest holes in your skin, and it’s extremely infectious. The virus itself is typically found in warmer, moister environments, such as showers, swimming pools, or locker rooms. 

Once you’ve been infected, the warts will form and grow inward into your foot. They can be quite painful, causing a sensation like a stone in your shoe as the result of pressure applied to them via standing or walking. 

Don’t worry! With patient education and specialized treatments, Sole Focus Foot and Ankle can reduce your likelihood of getting infected in the first place, treat any warts that do appear, and prevent recurrence altogether. 

Planter Warts

What Are the Symptoms? 

  • Tough, sponge-like growths on the sole of the foot
  • Black pinpoints in the center of said growths 
  • Pain and tenderness whilst walking or standing
  • Formation of calluses that cover the wart
  • Clusters of smaller warts, which are sometimes referred to as mosaic warts

What Are My Options? 

Pesky plantar warts are a literal pain, but they can also be aesthetically unpleasant. Fortunately, several treatments are available: 

  • Cryotherapy, a freezing method that employs liquid nitrogen
  • Application of Cantharidin, a topical treatment that produces minimal discomfort
  • Minor surgical excision can be the right option for some patients 
  • Laser therapy treatments, which can come in a variety of different forms and work by closing off blood vessels or stimulating an immune system response 

Remember, at-home treatments can be ineffective or even harmful. As always, we recommend consulting Dr. Vrunda Dalal, an expert DPM who has trained at the renowned Hoboken University Medical Center. At Sole Focus Foot and Ankle, we take pride in attending to each patient’s specific needs. Please feel free to call us at 856-831-7700 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We are conveniently located in Marlton, NJ, with good coverage in the Northern Maryland Area. We look forward to meeting all your podiatric needs!