Plantar warts might be small, but if you have one, you know how much pain they can cause — especially when you’re walking, standing, or exercising. These warts, which form on the soles of your feet, aren’t just a cosmetic concern. They can become deeply embedded in your skin and feel like you’re stepping on a pebble every time you move.
The good news? Help is available at the Midtown and Downtown Manhattan, New York City, locations of Manhattan Podiatry Associates. Take a moment as our board-certified team explains what plantar warts are and how we can help you find relief.
Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) — usually strains 1, 2, 3, 4, 27, and 57. These aren’t the same strains that cause genital warts, nor are plantar warts sexually transmitted.
You can pick up HPV from skin-to-skin contact or coming into contact with contaminated surfaces like towels, shower floors, or shoes. Locker rooms, pool areas, and shower areas are common sources of infection.
HPV enters through tiny cuts or cracks in your skin, usually on your heels or the balls of your feet. Because of the added pressure you naturally put on these parts of your feet, the wart is forced to grow inward.
You might suspect you have a wart if you notice:
You can have a single wart or a cluster. Clusters of plantar warts (called mosaic warts) are notoriously trickier to treat on your own.
Because plantar warts grow inward, they push against the sensitive tissues of your feet every time you put weight on them. This constant pressure and irritation can make even simple movements painful, and, not surprisingly, disrupt your daily activities.
The good news is plantar warts are treatable, and you don't have to suffer through the pain. At Manhattan Podiatry Associates, our team offers several different wart treatment options.
First, we confirm that plantar warts are the culprit behind your pain. (Stress fractures, heel spurs, and neuromas can also cause foot pain.) Plantar warts are diagnosed through a visual examination, and in some cases, we may scrap off the top layer to check for the tell-tale dark dot.
Depending on your needs, we may recommend:
Prompt treatment not only relieves your pain but also reduces your risk of the wart spreading or returning.
You can also help prevent wart recurrence by washing your laundry — including socks, towels, sheets, and bathroom floor mats — in hot water. Always wear shower shoes in public locker rooms and showers, and avoid sharing shoes or personal items with others.
If someone in your home has a plantar wart, consider cleaning the shower between uses.
If you’re dealing with painful plantar warts, you don’t have to tough it out. We can help! Call our location of your choice or click here to schedule an appointment with our team today to get started.
