A Podiatrist’s Guide to Treatment That Lasts

A plantar wart can be one of the most persistent and frustrating foot conditions, and it’s a problem that tends to recur after treatment. If you’re wondering why your wart won’t disappear or if it will ever go away on its own, Wayne Foot & Ankle has got you covered! The following blog will explain why these warts are so stubborn, then cover professional treatments that can help you step past them for good.

What are Plantar Warts Caused By?

Before discussing treatment, it’s important to know what you’re up against.

 A plantar wart is a skin growth caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which enters your body through tiny cuts or weak spots on the sole of your foot.

Key signs include:

• A small, rough, grainy lesion on a weight-bearing area of your foot.
• A layer of hard, thickened skin (callus) over the spot.
• Tiny black dots in the center (often called “wart seeds,” these are actually small, clotted blood vessels).
• Pain or tenderness when you walk or stand, like you have a stone in your shoe.

Will They Go Away On Their Own?

While it is theoretically possible for your immune system to fight off the virus over a long period, it’s very unlikely for an adult.

The HPV that causes plantar warts is incredibly skilled at hiding from your body’s immune response. The constant pressure from walking also pushes the wart deeper into the skin, making it even harder to resolve. If you want to simply wait, be warned:

• The Pain Will Worsen: The deeper the wart grows, the more painful it becomes.
• It Can Spread: Warts can multiply, creating a cluster of “mosaic warts” that are much more difficult to treat.
• It’s Contagious! : You can spread the virus to other parts of your own foot or to family members through shared surfaces like showers.

Why At-Home Treatments Often Fail

Over-the-counter treatments typically use a low-concentration salicylic acid. While this can sometimes work on a very new, superficial wart, it often fails because:

• It Can’t Penetrate Deep Enough: The thick callus layer on a plantar wart acts like a shield, preventing the acid from reaching the infected tissue deep within the skin.
• It Causes Irritation: Often, these treatments end up irritating the healthy skin around the wart more than the wart itself, causing pain without solving the problem.

Professional Treatment Options

A podiatrist has a toolkit of powerful, effective treatments designed to attack the wart at its source. Your personalized plan may include:

• Topical Medications: We use prescription-strength treatments that are far more effective at safely breaking down the wart tissue.
• Cryotherapy (Freezing): This common treatment uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the wart tissue. It’s a quick, in-office procedure.
• Laser Therapy: A highly targeted and advanced method that uses a specialized laser to destroy the virus and the blood vessels that feed the wart, often with minimal scarring.
• Minor Surgical Removal: For the most stubborn, deep, or painful warts, a simple in-office procedure to excise the wart can provide immediate and lasting relief.

We Can Help!

If you’re tired of dealing with a stubborn plantar wart, the first step to real relief is a professional diagnosis. Get in touch, stop by, and get rid of warts once and for all! Questions? Concerns? Dr. Lindsey Calligaro at Wayne Foot & Ankle Center is happy to assist. Our team has the tools, techniques, and proven expertise to treat your feet. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!