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1. PLANTAR WART
(VERRUCA PLANTARIS)
What is a Plantar Wart? • Tiny black dots. These often Although plantar warts may
A wart is a small growth on the
skin that develops when the
skin is infected by a virus. Warts can
appear on the surface of the wart.
The dots are actually dried blood
contained in the infected
eventually clear up on their own,
most patients desire faster relief. The
goal of treatment is to completely
develop anywhere on the foot, but capillaries (tiny blood vessels). remove the wart.
typically they appear on the bottom The foot and ankle surgeon may
(plantar side) of the foot. Plantar Plantar warts grow deep into the use topical or oral treatments, laser
warts most commonly occur in skin. Usually this growth occurs therapy, cryotherapy (freezing), or
children, adolescents, and the elderly. slowly—the wart starts off small and surgery to remove the wart.
There are two types of plantar gets larger over time. Regardless of the treatment
warts: approaches undertaken, it is
• A solitary wart is a single wart. What Causes a important that the patient follow
It often increases in size and may Plantar Wart? the surgeon’s instructions, including
eventually multiply, forming Plantar warts are caused by direct all home care and medication
additional “satellite” warts. contact with the human papilloma that has been prescribed, as well
• Mosaic warts are a cluster of virus (HPV). This is the same as follow-up visits with the
several small warts growing virus that causes warts on other surgeon. Warts may return, requiring
closely together in one area. areas of the body. Typically, the further treatment.
Mosaic warts are more difficult plantar wart virus is acquired in If there is no response to
to treat than solitary warts. public places where people go treatment, further diagnostic
barefoot, such as locker rooms, evaluation may be necessary. In such
Signs and Symptoms swimming pools, and karate cases, the surgeon can perform a
The signs and symptoms of a plantar classes. It can also be acquired at biopsy to rule out other potential
wart may include: home if other family members causes for the growth.
• Thickened skin. Often a plantar have the virus. Although there are many folk
wart resembles a callus because remedies for warts, patients should
of its tough, thick tissue. Diagnosis and Treatment be aware that these remain unproven
• Pain. A plantar wart usually hurts To diagnose a plantar wart, the foot and may be dangerous. Patients
during walking and standing, and ankle surgeon will examine the should never try to remove a wart
and there is pain when the sides patient’s foot and look for signs and themselves—this can do more harm
of the wart are squeezed. symptoms of a wart. than good. L
This information has been prepared by the Consumer Education Committee of the American College of Foot and
Ankle Surgeons, a professional society of 6,200 foot and ankle surgeons. Members of the College are Doctors of
Podiatric Medicine who have received additional training through surgical residency programs.
The mission of the College is to promote superior care of foot and ankle surgical patients through education,
research and the promotion of the highest professional standards.
Copyright © 2007, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons • www.FootPhysicians.com