Plantar Warts

What are plantar warts?

Plantar warts are small, flesh-colored growths that form on the weight-bearing areas of your feet, like the balls and heels. They’re caused by a strain of HPV and develop when the virus enters your body through cracks or breaks in your skin.

Most plantar warts go away in response to at-home treatments. If you have diabetes or another circulatory issue, warts can increase your risk of more serious complications.

What are the symptoms of plantar warts?

Symptoms of plantar warts include:

• A rough, callus-like bump on the bottom of your foot
• A hardened lesion with a black spot in the middle
• Pain or tenderness when standing or walking
• A well-defined spot of skin that’s sensitive to the touch

If you experience one or more of these issues, make an appointment at Hunter Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC right away.

Who is at risk of plantar warts?

Anyone can experience plantar warts, but several factors may increase your risk, including:

• Having a weakened immune system
• Being a child or teenager
• Having a history of plantar warts
• Going barefoot in public areas, like locker rooms or pools

To reduce the risk of plantar warts, Dr. Hunter recommends keeping your feet clean and dry, changing your shoes and socks daily, and not picking or scratching at warts.

How are plantar warts diagnosed?

To diagnose plantar warts, Dr. Hunter asks about your symptoms and examines your foot. He assesses the lesion(s) to determine their size, location, and number. Warts are visible to the naked eye, so observation is typically enough to make a diagnosis. If Dr. Hunter suspects another issue, he might take a biopsy and send it to a lab for analysis. 

How are plantar warts treated?

At Hunter Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC, Dr. Hunter treats plantar warts using Swift® microwave therapy. Swift is an FDA-cleared device that uses targeted microwave energy to attack and destroy the virus, encouraging your body’s natural immune response. 

The Swift protocol involves a series of three or four treatments spaced about a month apart. Each treatment lasts 5-10 minutes and requires no recovery period or downtime. 

To get treatment for plantar warts, make an appointment at Hunter Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC today. Call the office, or click the online scheduling tool.