Plantar Warts: Understanding Warts on Your Feet

Plantar warts are simply viral lesion that appear on the bottom surface (sole) of your foot. Because of the pressure from walking and standing, they tend to grow inward rather than outward, which often makes them painful.

How to Spot Them:

You can often tell a plantar wart apart from a regular callus by looking closely. Plantar warts frequently have tiny black dots visible inside them – these are actually small, clotted blood vessels. If the very top layer were gently shaved away (something a professional might do), these dots might show pinpoint bleeding.

What Causes Them & How They Spread:

Plantar warts are caused by a very common virus known as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Because a virus causes them, they are contagious. The HPV virus thrives in warm, damp environments. This means you can easily pick it up by walking barefoot in places like:

• Public showers (at gyms or pools)

• Locker rooms

• Around swimming pools

Using shared surfaces in these moist areas without foot protection increases your risk.

Our Treatment Approaches:

Every wart and every patient is unique, so we offer several modern treatment options at Donwood Foot and Orthotic Clinic. Depending on factors like the wart's size, location, how long you've had it, and your general health, we will develop a personalized plan which may include:

• Prescription topical medications: Stronger than over-the-counter options.

• In-office applications: Such as conservative and aggressive concentrated acids

• Falknor's Needling: A minimally invasive technique to help stimulate your body's own immune system to fight the wart virus.

Key Points About Plantar Warts:

• What they are: Warts on the foot soles caused by the HPV virus; often painful and can be hard to get rid of.

• How to spot them: Often contain tiny black dots (clotted blood vessels) and are distinct from calluses.

• Cause & Spread: Caused by the contagious HPV virus, commonly spread in warm, moist public areas like showers, locker rooms, and poolsides.

• Why they're tricky: Contagious, and the foot's thick skin can resist simple home treatments.

• Treatment: We are able to provide an accurate diagnosis and professional treatments that work effectively to remove the wart and prevent recurrence through a range of modern options (topicals, minimally invasive procedures) and create a treatment plan specifically for you.

Get Your Plantar Warts Treated:

Painful warts on the bottom of your feet can make walking uncomfortable. Here at Donwood Foot and Orthotic Clinic in Toronto, our experienced Chiropodists can accurately diagnose plantar warts and offer various effective treatments. Book an appointment today to discuss the best way to remove your plantar warts and get back to walking comfortably.