Plantar Warts

Rahul Patel, DPM, FACFAS

Board-Certified Podiatrist located in Flushing, Queens & Nomad, New York, NY

Warts are unsightly and can be embarrassing. Dr. Patel provides effective treatment for warts on the feet, also called Plantar Warts, from his offices in Flushing and Nomad, NY. Patients from across New York City visit his office for quick and pain free wart treatment and removal.

Plantar Warts Q & A

What are Plantar Warts?

Plantar warts are hard warts that develop on the bottom of the foot, They are usually caused by a virus. These warts usually appear at the heel or ball of the foot, on areas subjected to the most pressure from walking and standing. Plantar warts can even grow inwards beneath a callous, which is a hard, thick layer of skin and can get often mistaken for a corn. Symptoms of a plantar wart include a small area of thickened skin that resembles a callous, pain, and sometimes even tiny black dots where blood has dried in blood vessels within the wart.

What Causes Plantar Warts?

Plantar warts are the result of infection from the human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus enters the body through tiny cuts, cracks or breaks in the skin. Nail salons, gyms, and swimming pools are common places to pick up the virus. HPV causes warts on other parts of the body too.

What is the Treatment for Plantar Warts?

A podiatrist will treat warts that cause discomfort or pain, or resist conservative treatment such as over-the-counter medications. A foot care specialist can prescribe strong peeling medications that remove warts one layer at a time. The patient will need to return for regular visits for the wart to be scraped down and cauterized with an agent that kills the virus.

A foot doctor may recommend a variety of treatments which include: