Plantar Wart Treatment and Removal by Experienced Doctors at Mercy
Plantar warts are a commonly occurring condition on the bottom of the foot. The doctors of Mercy's Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction provide diagnosis as well as treatment options for the removal of plantar warts.
A plantar wart is a viral skin lesion caused by the Human Papilloma Virus. It is termed a plantar wart as these are commonly found on the bottom of the foot.
Plantar warts are medically termed Verruca Plantaris. They thrive in warm, moist environments and are often seen in children but can be found at any age. They will appear as either a solitary lesion or in a mosaic cluster or grouping of lesions.
Plantar warts are contracted by walking barefoot on such wart prone surfaces as seen at public showers, pools and hotel facilities. They are indeed contagious as the virus invades by direct contact usually through small cuts or abrasions on the skin.
Plantar warts often go ignored and may be mistaken for corns or calluses. The distinguishing characteristics of the wart make the diagnosis and can include:
- Pain with side to side pressure
- Presence of tiny black dots
- Loss of skin lines
Plantar warts may be treated with multiple options or may sometimes spontaneously resolve on their own. Some warts are very resistant to treatment and even when treated appropriately have an unfortunate tendency to recur.
Topical Treatment for Plantar Warts
- Acid therapy- Salicylic acid paste applied directly to the lesion
- Occlusive therapy - Duct tape applied directly to the lesion
- Cryotherapy - Liquid Nitrogen (to freeze the wart)
- LASER therapy - to burn the wart
Surgical Treatment for Plantar Warts
This is an in-office procedure and is our preferred treatment approach.
A local anesthetic block is performed and the wart lesion is completely excised without the need for sutures.