Warts

About Warts

Foot warts are small growths that develop when a virus enters your skin. These warts are highly contagious and easy to get. Often misidentified as corns, Our doctors can diagnose them quickly and discuss a plan for removal. If you or your child develops new foot lesions, contact Our Doctors at the Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic, in Mill Creek, Washington He offers the most effective treatment options for foot warts so you can get rid of them for good. Call or book a foot wart evaluation online today.

Warts Q&A

What are warts on the feet?

Warts can develop anywhere on your body. Plantar warts appear on the soles of your feet and are the most common type of foot wart. They can become painful if they grow large enough or are in pressure-bearing areas.

Plantar warts are flat, hard, and have a raised surface. They may appear brown or black and often have black dots in their centers — these are tiny blood vessels since warts are caused by a virus with its own blood supply. Plantar wart boundaries have a clear definition, but what you see is misleading because most of the wart lies under your skin. Warts on the upper foot surface are usually more pronounced.

It’s not uncommon for warts to be confused with similar conditions like corns or calluses, which have dead skin layers due to continual irritation. It’s also possible to confuse foot warts with cancerous lesions, so visiting Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic for an accurate diagnosis is advisable if you have any symptoms.

What causes foot warts?

Foot warts are caused by viral infections, with over 42 types of HPV viruses known to be responsible. These warts are normally harmless but can be painful. They’re often treatment-resistant and tend to recur. The virus enters through small cracks in the skin — sometimes too tiny to notice.

The wart virus lives on hard surfaces where many people walk barefoot, such as locker rooms and swimming pools. You can contract the virus by walking barefoot in an infected area or wearing infected footwear. The infection also spreads by touching skin flakes or blood from a wart.

Children and teens are more prone to foot warts than adults. Pregnancy, menopause, and emotional or physical stress can also increase your risk. Some people have a natural immunity to wart viruses.

How are foot warts treated?

Your immune system will attack the infection, and many people find their warts disappear naturally over time if the immune response is strong. However, treatment removes foot warts faster, reducing pain and unsightly appearance.

Over-the-counter remedies are available but typically only work on small lesions. They can also damage surrounding skin and make the wart worse. For best results, professional medical treatment is recommended.

Our doctors offers comprehensive wart treatments at Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic, including medications, cryo-surgery (freezing), and surgical removal when needed.

Call Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic to schedule a consultation or book your foot wart evaluation online today.