Plantar warts, medically known as verrucae pedis, most commonly occur on the forefoot on the bottom of the foot (plantar surface) as well as the heel. They can be on the sides or top of the foot too but they occur at those sites at much less frequency. The warts are usually rough, bumpy, and spongy, although some may be thick and scaly. Most are gray or brown and have a center with one or more dark pinpoints. These are tiny capillaries that supply blood to the wart. There can be a single wart or one surrounded by smaller ones. A mosaic wart appears as granular calluses that are grouped in a mosaic pattern. When the wart is on the plantar aspect of the foot, significant callusing usually builds over it.
The human pappiloma virus (HPV), a common organism, causes warts. The wart on the surface is a small fraction of the entire anomaly. The portion of the wart under the skin is at least twice as big as the part you can see.
As far as the feet are concerned, the only reason to treat a wart is if it is causing pain or disrupting gait since they tend to disappear over time by themselves. Common forms of medical treatment include over-the-counter salycilic acid, duct taping it, freezing the wart, low level laser removal, ultrasound and cutting the wart out.
There is much folklore associated with eliminating warts. Podiatrists have been known to “buy” the wart from a child under the age of 5. For those over that age, having them “wish” it away seems to work. Other methods that have been said to work include banana peels, tea tree oil, unheated honey and other substances. Pedorthists use arch supports to offload the plantar areas affected and extra depth shoes to give clearance when the wart is on the top or sides of the foot.
Other names or similar foot conditions:
- Verrucae pedis
- Mother-daughter, satellite or mosaic warts
- Most common mimicking conditions include psoriasis, calluses, and foreign body under the skin
Symptoms:
- Pain in the wart area upon weight bearing
- Side to side pressure more tender than direct pressure
Signs to look for:
- A gray or brown spot on the sole of the foot with a center that has one or more dark pinpoints
- Callusing over the wart
- Pain at the wart site upon touch and upon weight bearing
- Mother-daughter – one main wart with small “satellite warts” surrounding it
- Mosaic – granular calluses that are grouped in a mosaic pattern
Possible Causes:
- The human pappiloma virus (HPV), a common organism, causes warts
- The virus is often, although not always, encountered on contaminated surfaces, typically the tile floors of public locker rooms, showers, and swimming pools and invades the body through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin
Goals:
- Take pressure off forefoot or heel where the wart is
- If no compromise of foot function, waiting for the virus to pass may be preferable
- Prevention of exposure to bare feet in public areas
- Keep callusing under control so there are no breaks in the skin for the virus to enter
How We Help:
Arch Support:
- BioOrthotic exercising support with metatarsal lift
- Lower and thinner arch support with longitudinal and metatarsal support for use when shoes cannot accommodate the BioOrthotic exercising support
Other:
- Copper, bamboo or silver socks to help treat and prevent viruses on foot
- Many of these viruses die within a year or two. If there are no foot function problems or pain, it may be preferable to let the warts disappear with time
- Treatment – Medical or OTC treatments available
- If there is callusing or feet or normally very dry, maintain a regular moisturing and exfoliating program so there are no breaks in the skin for the virus to enter.
Activities:
Always wear shower shoes or regular shoes in public facilities where others walk barefoot
This information does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition and does not take the place of a doctor’s care. The information has been compiled from sources available to the general public and referenced below. Copyright 2005-2012 Carole Romig
Sources Image: R. Cailliet, MD, Foot and Ankle Pain, I. Alexander, The Foot: Exam & Diagnosis Text: PodiatryChannel.com, R. Cailliet, MD, Foot and Ankle Pain