A wart is a thickened and elevated small growth of skin that develops when the skin becomes infected by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts can develop anywhere on the foot, but typically occur on areas of direct pressure under the foot, such as the ball and the heel.
They are usually painless and go away on their own, sometimes taking months to resolve, but can take up to 2 years in children, and several years in adults.
Hard and thick callus can grow over the wart lesions as they grow inward and make them more painful. Clotted blood vessels or as they are commonly called “wart seeds” present as black dots at the base of the lesions.
As it grows in areas that can handle more pressure, it can cause the wart to grow inward beneath a hard and thick layer of skin, becoming calluses.
The warts develop when the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters through tiny cuts, breaks or weak spots on the sole of the foot. But only a few HPV viruses cause warts on the feet.
Not everyone who gets in touch with the virus develops warts, since every reaction is different. So, this virus isn’t as easy to spread by contact from one person to another.
However, the virus thrives in warm and moist places, so it is more likely to get the plantar warts walking barefoot around pools, locker rooms, lakes or any place that has these characteristics.
What are the most common risk factors?
It usually develops in children and teenagers, especially if they had them before. But also those who have a weak immune system or those who have the habit to walk barefoot.
A plantar wart may lead you to muscle and joint discomfort when they cause pain. It may alter your normal posture and change the way you walk or stand.
Go see your care provider or book an appointment with us if you realize any of those changes.