Plantar warts on your feet result from a virus that is introduced through a cut or crack in the skin. They are usually flat and round, unlike warts that occur on the hands or other parts of the body. They are often mistaken for a corn or callus. Our Wauwatosa heel pain specialist explains more about how they are treated.Â
Identifying Plantar Warts
Plantar warts generally appear on the ball or heel of your foot, where you put the most pressure from walking. They may feel rough or grainy to the touch and have small black dots in the center. They can occur alone or in clusters, stay small, or grow large. It is essential to determine if you have a wart or a callus before attempting to treat it.
Callus or Wart?
Many people mistake a wart for a callus. However, warts have unique features that calluses do not, including small black dots, well-defined lines, and pain when squeezed side-to-side. On the other hand, a callus:
- Has no dots
- Is painful when pushed on directlyÂ
Causes of Warts
Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the skin and can lead to multiple warts – either in different spots or grouped in a cluster. They can be very uncomfortable and unsightly. Sometimes warts may go away on their own, or you can remove them with an over-the-counter treatment. If at-home treatments do not work or the wart continues to grow (or multiply), it’s important to visit our podiatrist for an evaluation.
Additionally, people with diabetes or neuropathy of the feet should not use these drugstore treatments and should instead visit our podiatrist to have it professionally removed.
Contact Our Wauwatosa Heel Pain Specialist Today To Find Out More!
If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact Milwaukee Foot & Ankle Specialists, with a convenient podiatry office located in Wauwatosa by calling (414) 246-9575 or by clicking here.