Frequently Asked Questions on Planters Warts

What are planters warts?

Planters warts are tiny, rough bumps located on the bottom of your feet.

Are planters warts contagious?

Yes, planters warts are highly contagious.

How do planters warts spread?

Most people catch planters warts by walking around barefoot in public areas, such as public showers, locker rooms, swimming pools, tanning salons, etc. Once you’re exposed to the planters warts virus, a small break in the skin allows the pappiloma planters warts virus to enter the body.

How do I know I have planters warts?

If you feel like you’re stepping on a pebble or some other small mass trapped in your shoe, then you should take a look at the bottom of your feet, because you could have planters warts. Many people mistakenly believe their planters warts are calluses, so here are some tips to help you properly distinguish between calluses and planters warts:

• Appearance: If you look closely, you’ll notice that planters warts have tiny black centers: tiny capillaries carrying the blood supply to the planters wart.
• Bleeding: If trimming down the top layer produces pinpoint bleeding, then the lesion is usually a planters wart.
• Location: Because planters warts are contagious, if you get lesions that spread to other areas of your feet or other parts of the body, you most likely have planters warts.
• Pain: Planters warts appear to be more sensitive to squeezing or side pressure, whereas calluses feel more painful when receiving direct pressure.
• Age: Planters warts are more prevalent in children or young adults. Calluses typically affect a mature person.

How can I avoid getting planters warts?

You can protect yourself from planters warts by simply wearing water shoes or sandals in public areas where people often go barefoot.

Is there any way to get rid of planters warts?

Yes, you can find over-the-counter planters warts treatments to safely and easily remove your planters warts.

If over-the-counter applications don’t work to get rid of your planters warts, or if the planters warts keep coming back, see your doctor. There are several more aggressive options available to treat planters warts, such as freezing, laser treatment, antibiotics and surgery.

Information on foot and lower body health conditions like planters warts provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on muscoskeletal health.