A Plantar Wart is a skin disease caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It is a common viral infection of the skin that appears as a bump or cluster of bumps on the bottom of the foot. The virus enters the body through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin, most often on the soles of feet. Plantar warts are usually painless, but they can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. The size and appearance of Plantar warts can vary greatly; they can be large or small, flat or raised, and may have black dots in the center. They often grow in clusters – multiple warts growing close together.
While it is not dangerous to have a plantar wart, there is potential for it to spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. Treatment for Plantar warts typically involves over-the-counter medications such as salicylic acid. This type of medication gradually breaks down thick layers of dead skin cells that make up the wart. Other treatments involve cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), laser treatment, and surgical removal. In some cases, plantar warts may go away on their own without any treatment at all; however, this may take months or even years, and they will likely reappear again eventually.
To prevent plantar warts from spreading further on your own body or someone else’s, keep your feet clean and dry at all times and avoid sharing shoes with others. Also, wear flip-flops when using public showers or bathrooms and never touch someone else’s warts, as this could potentially cause transmission of HPV even if you don’t have any visible signs yourself yet.