Why Are Plantar Warts So Hard to Get Rid Of?

Plantar warts are one of the more common foot problems we see, and they can be surprisingly stubborn.

You may notice a small rough spot on the bottom of your foot that seems harmless at first. You try an over-the-counter treatment, file it down, or simply wait for it to disappear. Sometimes it does. Other times, the wart seems to stick around or even come back after treatment.

So, why can plantar warts be so difficult to get rid of?

What Is a Plantar Wart?

A plantar wart is a small growth that develops on the bottom of the foot as a result of the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Because plantar warts develop on weight-bearing areas of the foot, they can look different from warts found on other parts of the body. Pressure from standing and walking can push the wart deeper into the skin, which may make it appear flatter.

Plantar warts can sometimes have a rough, thickened surface and may contain small dark dots. They can also be mistaken for a corn or callus.

Why Do Plantar Warts Keep Coming Back?

One of the biggest reasons plantar warts can be stubborn is that the virus can remain in the surrounding skin even when the visible portion of the wart has been reduced.

This means that simply removing the thickened skin on top may not always be enough.

Plantar warts can also spread to other areas of the foot or to another person through direct contact or contaminated surfaces. This is one reason they are more commonly encountered in environments where people walk barefoot, such as swimming pools, change rooms and communal showers.

Picking or Cutting a Wart Can Make Things Worse

It can be tempting to pick at a wart, cut it or try to remove it yourself.

However, damaging the skin around a wart can cause bleeding and irritation and may increase the opportunity for the virus to spread to nearby skin.

Instead of trying to dig out the wart yourself, it is important to use an appropriate treatment approach and avoid unnecessary trauma to the surrounding skin.

Plantar Wart or Callus?

Not every rough spot on the bottom of the foot is a wart.

Plantar warts and calluses can look similar, particularly when a wart becomes covered by thickened skin. There are, however, some differences that can help distinguish them.

A wart may interrupt the normal lines of the skin and can sometimes have small dark dots within it. A callus, on the other hand, is generally caused by repeated pressure or friction and tends to follow the normal pattern of the skin.

Pain can also be different. A plantar wart may hurt when pressure is applied directly to it or when the area is squeezed from the sides.

Because they can look similar, it is not always possible to tell the difference just by looking at the area yourself.

Why Early Attention Can Help

The longer a plantar wart remains untreated, the more opportunity there may be for it to become uncomfortable or spread to other areas.

A wart can also become covered by layers of thickened skin, making it more difficult to identify and treat.

Getting an accurate assessment can help determine whether the spot is actually a wart and what treatment approach may be appropriate.

How Can You Help Prevent the Spread of Plantar Warts?

There are some simple habits that can help reduce the risk of spreading plantar warts:

• Avoid picking or scratching warts.
• Keep the area covered when appropriate.
• Avoid sharing socks, towels or footwear.
• Wear sandals or water shoes in communal wet areas.
• Keep feet clean and dry.
• Avoid walking barefoot in public change rooms, pool areas and communal showers.
• Do not use the same nail file or foot file on a wart and healthy skin.

The Bottom Line

Plantar warts may look like a small foot problem, but they can be surprisingly persistent. Because they are caused by a virus and can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from corns or calluses, repeatedly treating the surface of the skin may not always solve the problem.

If you have noticed a rough or painful spot on the bottom of your foot that isn’t going away, an assessment can help determine what you are dealing with and what treatment options may be appropriate.

Taking care of the problem early can help keep your feet comfortable and reduce the opportunity for it to spread.