Plantar warts crop up on the soles of the feet. They’re not cancerous; they stem from the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus finds its way into your skin through tiny cuts or abrasions, especially if you walk barefoot in communal areas like swimming pools or locker rooms.
These annoying foot warts usually start as a small, rough spot on your foot that feels like a pebble under your skin when you walk. Over time, they can become larger and develop a callus-like texture. Plantar warts can also spread to other areas of your feet.
Kids and teenagers are prime targets for the virus because their immune systems are still developing, but anyone can get plantar warts, especially those with weakened immune systems.
Fortunately, we can treat plantar warts and get you back on your feet.
Our Dan Preece, DPM, & Darren Groberg, DPM, team in Salt Lake City, Utah, explains the various treatments and how they can eliminate your painful plantar warts.
Bleomycin is our go-to treatment for plantar warts. It’s a potent, repurposed anti-cancer drug that we administer either by pricking the surface and applying a few drops or directly injecting the medication into the wart. Bleomycin disrupts the DNA within the wart cells, causing them to die off.
While bleomycin treatments may cause some discomfort, it’s temporary and a small price to pay for the relief. This method is particularly effective for stubborn warts that haven't responded to other treatments.
Topical medications are typically the first line of defense against plantar warts. You can even find several brands at your local drugstore. Look for salicylic acid-containing products. The solution dissolves the protein in your wart and the thickened layer of skin over it.
To use over-the-counter solutions, soak your foot in warm water, apply the medication, and then cover it with a bandage. Do this daily, and you should see results in several weeks.
We usually prescribe oral medications for multiple or widespread plantar warts.
For example, we might recommend medications that boost your immune system to help your body naturally fight off the HPV virus.
Cryotherapy freezes and destroys your plantar wart with liquid nitrogen, so it gradually falls off.
We perform the quick procedure in our office. It’s relatively painless, but you feel some discomfort as the wart thaws out. It could take multiple sessions spaced a few weeks apart to completely eradicate the wart.
Laser therapy uses intense light beams to target and destroy wart tissue.
Although precise and effective, it usually requires multiple sessions and can be more expensive than other treatments.
We may recommend an acid treatment where we apply trichloroacetic acid directly to the wart to burn away the layers of the wart tissue.
Like cryotherapy and laser therapy, acid treatments require multiple sessions. After each session, you might notice some peeling or flaking of the skin as the wart gradually diminishes.
We usually consider surgery a last resort for plantar warts. However, if none of the other treatments successfully remove your deeply embedded warts, this may be the best solution. In this procedure, one of our board-certified foot and ankle surgeons cuts out the wart tissue using a surgical scalpel.
We use local anesthesia to keep you comfortable, and you’ll likely be able to return to normal activities within a week or two.
If you’re walking around on painful plantar warts, call Dan Preece, DPM, & Darren Groberg, DPM, to schedule an appointment, or request one online.
