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Plantar wart treatment

Discover our effective plantar wart treatments

What are plantar warts?

Plantar warts are small growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). While they typically occur on the soles of the feet, they can occur anywhere on the foot. A plantar wart is sometimes called a verruca.

How do you get plantar warts?

These warts develop when the virus enters the skin through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin. This most commonly occurs in warm, moist environments like locker rooms, public showers or pool areas.

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Signs and symptoms of plantar warts

One of the first signs of a plantar wart is pain or tenderness when putting pressure on your foot. Other typical symptoms include:

  • small, rough growth on the sole of your feet
  • tiny black dots on your foot
  • white or skin-coloured lesions.

Some people may mistake plantar warts for calluses or corns, but the presence of those tiny black dots, which are actually small, clotted blood vessels can help distinguish them.

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Do I need plantar wart therapy?

While treatment for plantar warts is not always necessary, many people opt for plantar wart removal due to discomfort or cosmetic concerns. Sometimes, the warts may resolve on their own, especially in children.

If you choose to have your plantar wart removed, one of our friendly podiatrists will be able to provide advice on the type of treatment suitable for you.

What’s involved in plantar wart treatment?

There are several types of plantar wart treatments.

Strong acid-based treatments

Strong acids such as salicylic acid or cantharidin are commonly used to treat plantar warts. This treatment involves the surface of the wart being shaved off, and then acid being applied to the wart. A waterproof dressing is then applied. Cantharidin is a potent acid which causes a blister to form beneath the wart, leading to the separation from the skin. Eventually, the wart detaches from the skin and peels off. These plantar wart treatments are typically performed weekly as they require several sessions to successfully remove a wart.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy (also known as ‘freezing’) uses liquid nitrogen or another freezing agent to destroy the plantar wart. Cryotherapy works by rapidly freezing the tissue of the wart, causing damage to the cells and blood vessels. This kills the plantar wart. Effectiveness can vary depending on factors such as the size and location of the wart, and your immune system.

Needling

Needling is another form of plantar wart therapy. At The Foot Hub, we use Faulkner’s needling technique to treat plantar warts. This involves puncturing the wart with a fine needle to create microchannels in the wart tissue. This disrupts the wart’s blood supply, stimulates the immune response, and encourages the body to naturally resolve the wart by promoting healing and clearance of infection.

Swift Microwave Therapy

Swift Microwave Therapy is an innovative treatment for plantar warts. It works to treat plantar warts by using microwave energy to selectively heat and destroy the wart tissue while minimising damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. It can effectively resolve stubborn plantar warts in as little as 1 – 3 sessions.

Are plantar warts serious?

Plantar warts are not typically serious. However, they can be persistent and challenging to eliminate. In some cases, they may spread or become so painful that they affect daily activities. People with weakened immune systems or certain medical conditions may be more susceptible to developing plantar warts and may experience more difficulty in successfully removing them.

When to see a podiatrist

If you have a plantar wart, we recommend you make an appointment to see us if:

  • you’ve used over-the-counter remedies which have been ineffective
  • the wart is causing you pain or discomfort
  • the wart appears to be growing or spreading to other areas of your foot.

If you have diabetes or any circulatory problems, you should also make an appointment with one of our podiatrists before attempting any self-treatment.

While plantar warts often resolve on their own, seeking professional plantar wart treatment from one of our experienced podiatrists can alleviate discomfort and speed up the healing process. We will assess your foot and recommend the most suitable plantar wart removal method based on your needs.

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frequently asked questions

Yes, plantar warts are contagious. They can spread through direct contact with the virus, especially in warm, moist environments like public showers or pool areas.
To prevent plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot in public areas, keep your feet clean and dry, and don’t share personal items like socks or shoes with others.pe and severity of the wart, but most treatments require multiple sessions over several weeks to months for optimal results.

Depending on the method used, mild discomfort or pain during treatment is possible. However, we will take steps to minimise discomfort, and post-treatment pain is usually minimal.

The duration of treatment can vary depending on the type and severity of the wart, but most treatments require multiple sessions over several weeks to months for optimal results.
Yes, plantar warts can recur even after successful treatment. This is because the virus may remain dormant in the skin. Proper foot hygiene and avoiding walking barefoot in public areas can help prevent recurrence.

Yes, you can use your private health insurance for plantar wart therapy if you have podiatry cover.

Depending on the treatment, it can range from $110-$229 per session.
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