Almost everybody will develop a wart at some point in their life. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t embarrassing! When you don’t know how to get rid of one of these bothersome bumps, they can become a real pain. You may even be wondering if your wart will go away on its own.
Board-certified podiatrist Jennifer Tauber, DPM, and our experienced team at New Canaan Podiatry in New Canaan, Connecticut, are wart specialists who can help make your warts a thing of the past. We’ve put together this article to give you the information you need about plantar warts, including whether or not they disappear on their own. Keep reading to learn more!
Warts are growths that develop on your skin because of a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV). When these unsightly bumps grow on the sole of your foot, they’re called plantar warts.
Plantar warts aren’t always the same. They can develop in clusters, called mosaic warts, or as one single wart that may continue to grow larger and larger. Since you stand on your feet, your weight can cause your plantar wart to grow inward, under the calloused layers of skin on the bottom of your feet.
Some of the signs and symptoms of a plantar wart include:
Yes! While warts may be an unwanted guest on your feet, most plantar warts don’t cause harm and resolve on their own once the virus has run its course. If your wart doesn’t cause you pain or trouble, you can simply wait it out.
If you have plantar warts, don’t forget they are highly contagious! You can spread warts to other people through indirect contact (e.g., sharing shoes, or touching the same towel or bathmat) and direct contact. If you decide to wait for your wart to go away on its own, be mindful of not passing the virus along to other people or other areas on your body.
While a plantar wart may eventually go away on its own, warts can be unsightly and uncomfortable. If you’re anxious to banish your wart sooner, here are some things you can do:
Some warts respond well to over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, but depending on the size and position of the wart it may take patience for the bump to completely disappear. There’s a broad selection of OTC options, so follow the instructions on the product you choose.
Most OTC treatments contain salicylic acid. They can come in liquid, gel, and patch form. Even after it looks like the wart is gone, you should keep treating it to ensure it doesn’t come back.
Because warts are contagious, it's a good idea to see a podiatrist for your wart. Having it treated helps make sure you don’t spread the virus to other areas of your body or other people.
At New Canaan Podiatry, Dr. Taub evaluates your wart and gets you started on the most effective treatment as early as possible. Sometimes, however, it’s important to seek help sooner as the wart may cause more problems.
If any of the following apply to your wart, contact Dr. Taub soon for evaluation:
If you believe you have a plantar wart or you're tired of waiting for your wart to disappear, Dr. Taub and our team at New Canaan Podiatry can help. Contact our New Canaan, Connecticut, office by calling 203-263-9052 to book an appointment now!
