Plantar Warts

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Painful spot on the sole that won’t go away? We diagnose and treat plantar warts with safe, effective options—from debridement and topical therapy to cryotherapy and advanced treatments—so you can walk comfortably again.

Plantar warts are skin growths on the bottom of the foot caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) entering through tiny breaks in the skin. Because they’re on weight-bearing areas, they can grow inward and feel like a pebble in the shoe.

Common signs and symptoms

• Small, rough lesions on the sole, often with tiny black dots (clotted capillaries)
• Pain or tenderness with pressure or while walking
• A callus layer over the lesion; interruption of normal skin lines
• Single wart or mosaic clusters

Why they occur (risk factors)

• Walking barefoot on shared wet surfaces (pools, locker rooms)
• Minor skin breaks, sweaty feet, tightly enclosed footwear
• Youth and teens more commonly affected; immunity plays a role

Most plantar warts are diagnosed by exam. We may gently pare the surface to look for pinpoint bleeding and characteristic features. Imaging is rarely needed unless we’re ruling out other causes of focal pain (e.g., foreign body, cyst).

Many warts resolve with consistent care. We’ll choose the least invasive option likely to work for your case and timeline.

Comfort & preparation

• Careful debridement (trimming the thick surface) to reduce pressure and help treatments penetrate
• Padding or offloading to make walking more comfortable

Topical and in-office options

• Topical keratolytics (medical-strength salicylic acid) with a simple home routine
• Cryotherapy (freezing) in clinic at set intervals
• Cantharidin application (blistering agent) for selected lesions
• Immunotherapy options (e.g., Candida antigen injections) to recruit the body’s response in stubborn cases
• Needling or curettage/electrodesiccation for resistant warts when appropriate
• Laser therapy may be considered for recalcitrant lesions if available

We’ll review benefits, expected number of visits, and aftercare so you know exactly what to do between appointments.

• Keep lesions covered as directed; avoid picking to reduce spread
• Wear shower shoes in shared wet areas
• Keep feet dry: change socks daily, let shoes air out
• Do not share pumice stones, nail tools, or footwear

1. Evaluation: Exam, gentle paring, and discussion of options.
2. Plan: Same-day debridement and first treatment when appropriate, plus clear home instructions.
3. Follow-up: Visits every 2–4 weeks until resolved; we adjust the approach based on response.

• Rapidly spreading redness, drainage, or fever
• Severe pain preventing weight-bearing
• Diabetes, neuropathy, or poor circulation with any skin breakdown on the sole

• Care led by Hannah Lee, DPM, with a conservative-first strategy and clear, practical aftercare
• Multiple evidence-guided options for simple and stubborn warts
• Offloading and shoe guidance so treatment fits your daily routine

Are plantar warts contagious?
They can spread through skin contact and shared wet surfaces. Good hygiene and covering the lesion reduce spread.

How long does treatment take?
Many clear over several weeks to a few months, depending on size, depth, and immune response.

Will they come back?
Recurrence can happen. Finishing the plan and following prevention tips lowers the chance.

Can I use over-the-counter acids?
They help some patients. Correct diagnosis, safe debridement, and monitoring improve success and protect surrounding skin.

Let’s choose a treatment plan that fits your schedule and gets you back on your feet.