Treatment for Plantar Warts

We see lots of people of all ages for treatment of plantar warts. There are various options which we will discuss with you when developing a treatment plan.

What is a plantar wart

• Plantar refers to the sole of your foot (it has nothing to do with gardening!)
• Also known as verrucas or Verruca Pedis.
• The wart is usually on the sole of your foot or between your toes
• It may be painful due to a build-up of hard skin
• They have a flat cauliflower like appearance
• The normal skin pattern (like a fingerprint) is interrupted.

How do you get plantar warts

• The wart is caused by a a benign type of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which thrives in warm moist environments
• It’s not helped by the HPV vaccine which is for more aggressive strains of HPV related to cervical cancer.
• It is usually picked up via a microscopic skin defect
• They are often contracted through communal barefoot areas such as changing rooms and swimming pools
• Plantar warts can also be passed on within households.

Home treatment for plantar warts

• Avoid going barefoot
• Remedies are available at your pharmacy
• Use a pumice or foot file to reduce painful thick hard skin
• Keep the wart covered with a waterproof dressing or tape
• Make sure you are generally healthy with a strong immune system

What help can I get for plantar warts

• We will remove any thick hard skin to give you immediate pain relief, and advise on treatment options
• Treatment at Umina Podiatry may involve using chemicals or freezing to kill the virus causing the wart

When will plantar warts get better?

• Most warts will go away on their own after about 2 years
• Depending on the type of treatment you should expect an improvement in 6-8 weeks