Plantar Warts

Plantar warts (verrucae) are viral growths on the skin of the feet caused by the aggressive effects of the human papillomavirus (HPV). These formations develop on areas subject to constant friction and pressure - the heels or soles of the feet. They can be painful and often cause discomfort, especially when walking. The virus is easily transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces - floors in swimming pools, gyms and public showers. Timely treatment is essential to prevent the spread of the pathology and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic offers competent diagnosis and effective treatment methods for plantar warts. Our leading specialist Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM will choose an individual and effective treatment plan for each client.

Types of Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are divided into two main types: common and mosaic warts.

Common plantar warts (verrucas)

• These are solitary neoplasms that usually develop on the soles of the feet. They have a dense structure, round shape and can be painful when pressed. They are located in the places of greatest pressure and friction on the feet - heels, and pads of the feet.

Mosaic warts

• Small formations that can group and form a group of clusters on the skin. Favorite places of localization - the front part of the foot or under the toes, but can develop on other parts of the foot.

The main difference between plantar warts and ordinary skin warts is deep ingrowth into the tissues of the foot, which causes discomfort and severe pain with every movement.

Causes of Plantar Warts

The main cause of plantar warts is the human papillomavirus. By penetrating the skin of the feet through microscopic lesions, it causes the development of warts.

Plantar warts most commonly occur in the following cases:

• Contact with contaminated surfaces: the HPV virus is often present in public places - swimming pools, showers, gyms. Walking barefoot on infected surfaces can increase the risk of infection.
• Decreased immunity: people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to developing warts because their bodies are less effective at fighting the virus.
• Increased humidity: wearing wet, or poorly ventilated shoes creates a favorable environment for the virus, which promotes the development of warts, especially between the toes, where the skin stays wet longer.

Plantar warts can develop both on the sole of the foot and between the toes, causing additional discomfort when walking.

Symptoms and Signs

Plantar warts are easily recognized by their characteristic symptoms and appearance.

The main signs to which you should pay attention are.

• Rough and thickened skin in the area where the wart appears.
• Pain in the heel or under the toes when walking or standing.
• Small black dots on the surface of the formation.
• A “pebble-in-shoe” sensation that causes constant irritation when walking.
• Painful sensations between the toes.

It is worth consulting with a specialist if you notice at least one of the above signs.

Diagnostics: Understanding the Condition

Diagnosis of plantar warts in most cases is made with a simple visual examination. Experienced podiatrist Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM at Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic, uses several methods to accurately identify this pathology.

• Visual inspection: identification of characteristic signs of the disease - thickened skin, rough structure of the neoplasm and the presence of small black dots, which are clogged capillaries.
• Assessment of symptoms - the presence of pain and discomfort in the area of the soles or between the toes when walking, a feeling of pressure.
• Scraping: sometimes a scraping of the skin of the wart may be required for a more detailed examination, revealing its internal structure and vascular network, which confirms the diagnosis.
• Dermatoscopy: for a more accurate diagnosis, a dermatoscope is used, which magnifies the image of the skin and allows you to see the smallest details of the formation.

Diagnosis of plantar warts does not require complex laboratory tests, but it is important to consult a specialist to rule out other skin diseases such as corns or keratosis, which may have similar symptoms.

Treatment Options for Plantar Warts

Treatment for plantar warts can include a variety of methods aimed at removing the viral growths and relieving symptoms Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM at Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic, suggests several effective methods for treating warts.

• Cryotherapy: freezing warts with liquid nitrogen. This procedure destroys the wart tissue, causing it to die off. It usually takes several sessions to completely remove the wart.
• Laser therapy: destruction of the blood vessels that feed the formation by exposure to laser radiation, which gradually leads to its dying off. The procedure is painless and effective in removing deep or persistent warts.
• Surgical removal: excision of the wart under local anesthesia. 

The choice of the appropriate treatment depends on the size, depth and localization of the wart. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM to find out what’s the best treatment in your case.