What is a plantar wart?
Plantar warts are growths on the soles of the feet caused by a virus (commonly a strain of Human papillomavirus / HPV) that infects the top layer of the skin. According to the clinic page at Footprint Health & Wellness Centre, warts often appear as a raised, “cauliflower-like” area with little black dots (tiny blood vessels) and may sometimes hurt when you walk. They are contagious: you can pick them up in damp public areas like pool decks, locker rooms or gym showers.
Why they matter
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Because they’re viral, plantar warts can spread — to other parts of your foot, to other feet or even other people.
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They may be painless (and thus ignored), but can become painful, especially when located on a weight-bearing area of the foot.
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They might persist for a long time if left untreated, as the virus remains in the outer skin layers.
How we assess them
When a patient comes in complaining of a suspicious lesion under their foot, a chiropodist will:
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Take a history (e.g., how long it’s been there, any obvious exposure)
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Examine the foot and lesion: size, location, appearance, depth
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Determine if it is indeed a wart (versus a corn, callus, or other skin lesion)
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Discuss options, expected outcomes and realistic timelines
Treatment options for plantar warts
The Footprint Health & Wellness Centre page outlines various options which are widely used in chiropody practice.
Topical solutions
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Application of salicylic acid (prescription strength) to gradually “eat away” the wart tissue.
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Silver nitrate: a gentler option, killing layers of wart tissue little by little.
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Liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) to freeze the wart and destroy tissue.
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Cantharidin (creates a blister over the wart) as a more aggressive topical serum.
These treatments are often preceded by debridement/shaving of the wart tissue so the topical agent can penetrate more effectively.
Surgical / in-office procedures
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Excision: numbing the area then cutting out the wart entirely. High success, but requires healing time.
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Needling: after numbing, the wart is pierced repeatedly to provoke an immune response that helps clear deeply embedded virus and any satellite warts. Recovery may take several months.
At-home versus professional care
While over-the-counter wart treatments exist, they often only affect the surface layers of the wart and may be insufficient for the base of a plantar wart. For persistent or deeper lesions (especially on the foot), professional assessment and treatment is generally recommended.
Tips for patients: prevention & home care
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Keep your feet clean and dry; avoid walking barefoot in communal damp areas (locker rooms, pool decks).
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Use flip-flops or sandals in public showers to reduce risk of viral transmission.
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If you already have a wart, avoid cutting it or picking at it (which may spread the virus).
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Change socks daily, avoid sharing towels and footwear.
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After professional treatment, follow post-care instructions: e.g., keep area protected, monitor for signs of infection.
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Realistic expectation: even with professional treatment, warts may take several weeks or months to fully resolve, especially large/deep ones.
Why professional treatment matters
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A chiropodist is trained to correctly identify the lesion (to distinguish wart from other foot skin conditions) and select the appropriate treatment modality.
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Professional debridement allows the topical treatments to penetrate effectively.
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Surgical/advanced options provide solutions for stubborn or large warts that don’t respond to simple home care.
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The treatment plan will be tailored to your foot anatomy, pain thresholds, activity levels, and health status (important when one is on anti-virals, immune-compromised, diabetic etc.).