Plantar wart
A plantar wart, or verruca vulgaris, is a wart occurring on the bottom of the foot or toes. Its color is typically similar to that of the skin. Small black dots often occur on the surface. One or more may occur in an area. They may result in pain with pressure such that walking is difficult.
| Plantar wart | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Verruca myrmecia, verruca plantaris |
| Close up image of a large plantar wart | |
| Specialty | Dermatology, Podiatry |
| Symptoms | Skin colored lesion, may be painful |
| Complications | Trouble walking, transmission to other parts of the body, callus formation |
| Duration | Two years |
| Causes | Human papillomavirus (HPV) |
| Risk factors | Communal showers and pools, barefoot walking, open footwear, prior warts, poor immune function |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms |
| Differential diagnosis | Callus, molluscum contagiosum, squamous cell carcinoma |
| Treatment | Salicylic acid, chemo-based Fluorouracil and bleomycin, cryotherapy, surgical removal |
| Frequency | Common |
They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). A break in the skin is required for infection to occur. Risk factors include use of communal showers, having had prior warts, and poor immune function. Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms.
Treatment is only needed if it is causing symptoms. This may include salicylic acid, cryotherapy, chemo-based fluorouracil or bleomycin, and surgical removal. The skin atop the lesion should generally be removed before treatment. In about a third to two-thirds of cases, they go away without specific treatment, but this may take a few years. Plantar warts are common. Children and young adults are most often affected.