What Is a Plantar Wart?
Commonly referred to as verrucas, plantar warts are viral skin infections triggered by the human papillomavirus (HPV). These small, textured growths typically develop on the soles of the feet, specifically around the ball or heel, and often resemble the appearance of cauliflower. While frequently mistaken for “wart seeds,” the tiny black specks visible on their surface are actually clotted blood vessels.
Unlike corns, plantar warts contain nerves and a blood supply, which is why they can be painful, particularly when pressed from the sides rather than directly.
How Do You Get Plantar Warts?
HPV enters the skin through small cuts or breaks, most commonly in warm, damp environments. Risk factors include:
- Walking barefoot in communal areas (e.g. pools, change rooms, gyms)
- Direct contact with someone who has the virus
- Sharing towels, shoes, or socks
- A weakened immune system, which reduces the body’s ability to fight the virus
- Previous warts — having had one increases the likelihood of recurrence
Warts can spread to other areas of the foot or to other people if left untreated, making early management worthwhile.
Signs You May Have a Plantar Wart
- A rough, thickened patch of skin on the sole of the foot
- Small black dots on the surface
- Pain when walking or standing, particularly with side-to-side pressure
- A wart between or on the toes, causing rubbing or discomfort
- A cluster of smaller growths (mosaic warts) on the sole
Plantar warts can look similar to corns or calluses. If you’re unsure what you’re dealing with, a podiatry assessment will confirm the diagnosis before treatment begins.
How Do You Prevent Plantar Warts?
By following these prevention tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing plantar warts:
- Wear shoes or sandals in public spaces: Avoid walking barefoot in public spaces, especially in damp areas like locker rooms, pools, and showers.
- Practise good foot hygiene: Keep your feet clean and dry, and change your socks and shoes regularly.
- Avoid sharing shoes and socks: Warts can be spread through direct contact, so avoid sharing shoes, socks, or other footwear with others.
- Boost your immune system: A strong immune system can help prevent warts from forming, so eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get enough rest.
- Treat any cuts or scrapes promptly: Plantar warts can enter the body through small breaks in the skin, so it’s important to clean and treat any cuts or scrapes on your feet promptly.
How We Treat Plantar Warts
There’s no single treatment that works for every wart. Our podiatrists assess the size, location, and duration of the wart alongside your health history to recommend the most appropriate approach. Options available at Highett Podiatry include:
- SWIFT Microwave Therapy — Uses focused microwave energy to heat infected tissue to 42–45°C. This triggers an immune response to destroy the HPV virus with no downtime, dressings, or broken skin. Treatment typically requires three sessions spaced four weeks apart.
- Salicylic acid and chemical therapies — a first-line option for mild or early-stage warts, applied to soften and dissolve wart tissue over multiple sessions.
- Cryotherapy (freezing) — liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze and destroy wart tissue. May require several sessions.
- Curettage — surgical removal of the wart tissue using a curette, typically reserved for warts that haven’t responded to other treatments.
Most warts will eventually clear without treatment, but this can take up to two years, and in adults with a weakened immune system, they’re less likely to resolve on their own.
Why Choose Highett Podiatry?
We offer one of Melbourne’s most comprehensive ranges of plantar wart treatments, including SWIFT microwave therapy — one of the most effective options currently available for persistent or recurring warts. Our podiatrists assess each presentation individually and won’t recommend treatment unless it’s clinically appropriate.
We see patients for wart treatment at our Highett and Mentone clinics. No referral required.