What Are Plantar Warts & What Causes Them?

Understanding Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are small, rough growths that form on the soles of the feet, typically on the heel or the ball of the foot. Despite looking like calluses, they have a distinct cause and require a different approach to treatment.

Cause

Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically strains that thrive in warm, moist environments like locker rooms, pools, and public showers. The virus enters the skin through tiny cuts or breaks in the surface of the foot. Not everyone who is exposed to HPV develops a wart; those with weakened immune systems or who spend a lot of time in shared spaces are at higher risk.

Symptoms

Because plantar warts grow inward under the pressure of body weight, they often feel like a small pebble or hard lump underfoot. Common signs include:

• A thickened, rough patch of skin on the sole of the foot
• Pain or tenderness when walking or standing, especially when pressure is applied to the sides of the lesion
• A circular flat spot with a depressed center, sometimes with a yellowish crust
• Small black dots within the lesion, which are clotted blood vessels
• A lesion that is painful, bleeding, or changing in appearance

It's worth noting that plantar warts can be easy to confuse with calluses or other skin lesions. If you're not sure what you're dealing with, Dr. Barnes can examine the area and give you a definitive answer.

Why Over-the-Counter Treatments Often Fall Short

Plantar warts are notoriously resistant to home treatments. That's because the wart extends beneath the skin's surface, with roots that reach deep into the tissue. Over-the-counter acid pads and freezing products only treat the surface, leaving the deeper tissue intact. Professional treatment is typically necessary to address the full extent of the wart and reduce the chance of recurrence.

Plantar Wart Treatment Options Available at Our Council Bluffs Office

How Dr. Barnes Treats Plantar Warts

Dr. Barnes takes an individualized approach to plantar wart treatment, selecting the method or combination of methods best suited to each patient's situation. The following options are available at our Council Bluffs office.

Swift Microwave Therapy

Swift is an FDA-cleared technology that treats plantar warts by delivering precise, low-dose microwave energy through a specialized probe directly into the affected tissue. Rather than destroying the wart from the outside in, Swift works by triggering the body's own immune response to recognize and fight the HPV virus causing the wart. This addresses the root cause rather than just the visible symptom.

Swift treatment typically involves three to four sessions spaced four weeks apart, aligning with the body's natural immune cycle. Each session takes only five to ten minutes. There's no breaking of the skin, no bandages, and no home care required between visits. Patients can return to normal activities immediately after each session. Some patients experience brief discomfort during treatment, but it subsides quickly.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy involves applying liquid nitrogen to the wart to freeze and destroy the affected tissue. The treated tissue eventually blisters and peels away, taking the wart with it. Multiple sessions may be needed depending on the size and depth of the wart. Cryotherapy is a well-established treatment with a strong track record for plantar wart removal.

Cantharone

Cantharone is a topical blistering agent applied directly to the wart in the office. It causes a blister to form beneath the wart, which lifts it from the skin as the blister heals. The procedure is painless when applied, and the treated area is covered with a bandage to protect it. Follow-up visits are typically needed to monitor healing and repeat treatment if necessary.

Acid Treatment

Topical acid treatments, such as salicylic acid applied at a clinical concentration, work by gradually breaking down the wart tissue over a series of visits. Dr. Barnes applies the acid precisely and monitors the treatment closely to ensure progress. This approach is often used in combination with other methods for more persistent warts.

Surgical Removal

When other treatments haven't produced adequate results or when a wart is particularly large or deep, surgical removal may be considered. The procedure is performed in-office and involves excising the wart under local anesthesia. Recovery is generally straightforward, and Dr. Barnes will discuss what to expect before and after the procedure.