Warts are more than a minor inconvenience if they appear on the bottom of your feet. With extensive experience treating plantar warts, board-certified podiatrist Scott Shields, DPM, knows these pesky growths can make standing and walking uncomfortable. At Total Foot and Ankle in Enid, Oklahoma, Dr. Shields uses the most effective treatments to remove plantar warts quickly and comfortably. Call the practice today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

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What are warts?

Warts are small, rough, raised growths on the skin’s surface. Most warts are harmless, but plantar warts — which develop on the bottom of your feet — can be uncomfortable and painful.

Pressure from standing, walking, or running may irritate plantar warts. Because the skin on your feet is thick, these growths can also be difficult to see.

Plantar warts are often less responsive to over-the-counter treatments than common warts. At Total Foot and Ankle, Dr. Shields offers medical-grade treatments to get rid of warts quickly and safely.

What do plantar warts look like?

Plantar warts don’t always protrude like other types of warts. They tend to develop on the soles of your feet, where the skin is thick and callused.

Plantar warts can look and feel like a rough patch of skin with a small break in the center. As the wart grows deeper, the skin may become thicker and more callused. The wart itself may have visible black specks — tiny blood vessels.

Who’s most likely to get plantar warts?

Plantar warts are caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV can enter your body through small breaks in the skin. Factors that can increase your risk of plantar warts include:

  • Weakened immune system
  • Being older or younger (adolescents, teenagers, etc.)
  • Exposure to moist areas (locker rooms, public pools, etc.)
  • History of warts
  • Skin-to-skin contact
  • Poor foot hygiene
  • Frequent running or walking
  • Genetics

Sharing personal items such as towels, socks, and shoes can also increase your vulnerability to plantar warts.

Will plantar warts go away on their own?

Plantar warts eventually go away, but they can take one to two years to resolve in children and even longer in adults. However, the most reliable and effective treatment option is Swift, a revolutionary microwave probe that works like nothing else on warts. At Total Foot and Ankle, Dr. Shields offers this advanced treatment as the only office in the State of Oklahoma to do so, ensuring that your plantar warts are addressed in the fastest and safest way possible.

What are the treatments for plantar warts?

Dr. Shields offers many treatments to help get rid of plantar warts, including:

  • Prescription medications
  • Cryotherapy (freezing)
  • Minor surgery
  • Peeling medicine

If you’re prone to plantar warts, Dr. Shields may recommend wearing shower sandals and using waterproof bandages in moist, communal spaces.

Call Total Foot and Ankle today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about preventing and treating plantar warts.