Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are small growths on the bottom of the foot (sole). Warts are caused by a type of germ (virus). Most warts are not painful, and they usually do not cause problems. Sometimes, plantar warts can cause pain when you walk. Warts often go away on their own in time. Treatments may be done if needed.

Follow these instructions at home:

General instructions

• Apply creams or solutions only as told by your doctor. Follow these steps if your doctor tells you to do so:
  • Soak your foot in warm water.
  • Remove the top layer of softened skin before you apply the medicine. You can use a pumice stone to remove the tissue.
  • After you apply the medicine, put a bandage over the area of the wart.
  • Repeat the process every day or as told by your doctor.
• Do not scratch or pick at a wart.
• Wash your hands after you touch a wart.
• If a wart is painful, try putting a bandage with a hole in the middle over the wart.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Prevention

• Wear shoes and socks. Change socks every day.
• Keep your feet clean and dry.
• Check your feet often.
• Avoid direct contact with warts on other people.

Contact a doctor if:

• Your warts do not improve after treatment.
• You have redness, swelling, or pain at the site of a wart.
• You have bleeding from a wart, and the bleeding does not stop when you put light pressure on the wart.
• You have diabetes and you get a wart.