Our Services / Plantar Warts

What are plantar warts?

A plantar wart is a small, skin-colored lesion that forms on the weight-bearing areas of your feet, like the balls or the heels. They occur when a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters your body through a break or cut in your skin.

Most plantar warts are small and resolve on their own without treatment. If you have plantar warts that are painful or prevent you from working or exercising, make an appointment at Long Lake Podiatry, P.C., right away.

What are the symptoms of plantar warts?

Symptoms of plantar warts include:

• A flesh-colored bump (or bumps) on the bottom of your foot
• Pain when walking or standing
• Increased foot sensitivity
• Hard, thickened skin

Most plantar warts also have a visible black dot in the middle.

When should I see a podiatrist about plantar warts?

Make an appointment to see Dr. Berlin at Long Lake Podiatry, P.C. if your warts:

• Are bleeding or painful
• Return after over-the-counter treatment
• Cause pain that interferes with your quality of life
• Affect your ability to stand or walk

It’s also important to meet with a podiatrist if you have an underlying medical condition that affects your circulation or immune system, like diabetes or HIV. 

Who is at risk of plantar warts?

Anyone can experience plantar warts, but there are several factors that may increase your risk. For example, you’re more likely to experience plantar warts if you have a weakened immune system or a history of plantar warts. You might also experience plantar warts if you walk around barefoot in a public facility, like a locker room or a sauna. 

How are plantar warts diagnosed?

To diagnose plantar warts, Dr. Berlin reviews your health history, asks about your symptoms, and physically examines your feet. If he suspects the lesion is something other than a wart, he might also remove a small sample and send it to a laboratory for additional analysis. 

How are plantar warts treated?

At Long Lake Podiatry, P.C., Dr. Berlin uses combination therapy to treat plantar warts. Combination therapy uses oral antiviral medication and salicylic acid to eliminate warts and prevent them from returning.

Specifically, combination treatment involves an in-office procedure where Dr. Berlin applies salicylic acid to your warts. Over time, the acid causes your wart to fall off. Following your initial treatment, Dr. Berlin describes an oral antiviral drug. The medication destroys the remaining HPV virus in your body. 

To learn more about treatment for plantar warts, make an appointment at Long Lake Podiatry, P.C. by calling the nearest office or clicking the online scheduling tool today.