Plantar wart treatment

Plantar warts (verrucae) are common, especially in kids and teens, and can be stubborn and sore to walk on. We check it really is a wart, then look at the health of your whole foot, not just the wart, and build a plan that suits you.

About plantar warts

Plantar warts (verrucae pedis) can look like small corns or patches of hard skin on the bottom of the foot. They’re a viral infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), usually picked up in damp places like swimming pools, gym showers and shared bathrooms, where the virus finds a small break in the skin.

Sweaty feet (hyperhidrosis) can make warts more likely, and your immune system plays a big part too. That’s why we often see them in young kids, whose immune systems are still developing, and why we look at the whole picture rather than just the wart.

Warts aren’t dangerous, and some go away on their own over time. But they can be painful, spread to other parts of the foot or to other people, and are often confused with corns, which need very different treatment.

Signs of a plantar wart

• A rough, hard patch of skin on the sole of the foot, often with callus over the top
• Tiny black dots in the middle, which are small blood vessels
• Pain when the sides are squeezed, rather than when pressed straight on
• Skin lines that go around the wart rather than through it
• Clusters of small warts close together (mosaic warts)

Is it a wart or a corn?

Warts and corns can look very similar, but they’re treated very differently. A corn is caused by pressure, while a wart is a viral infection. We check carefully before starting any treatment, so you don’t spend weeks treating the wrong thing.

More than just the wart

More often than not, it’s not just the wart that needs attention, but the health of the whole foot. Warts take hold more easily when skin is cracked, sweaty or under strain, or when your immune system is working hard.

• We look at the health of your whole foot, including your skin and nails, not just the wart
• We review your medical history and any health conditions that may be playing a part
• We build a skin and nail restoration plan to help bring your whole foot back to good health
• Where helpful, we work with your GP and other health professionals as part of a team approach

Treatment options

We’ll talk you through all your options, including over-the-counter pharmacy products and choosing not to treat, and recommend the option that suits you, your wart and your activities, and for kids, their age and comfort.

Falknor’s needling: what to expect

Falknor’s needling is an option for stubborn warts. It can also suit mosaic warts, where a cluster forms around a larger ‘mother’ wart, as treating the main wart can help the immune system respond to the rest.

• On the day: the area is numbed with a local anaesthetic, then the wart is gently needled with a sterile needle. Silver nitrate is applied afterwards to form a protective scab, and a simple dressing goes on top.
• Afterwards: most people feel mild discomfort, which can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relief. You can usually get back to normal walking the next day.
• Dressing: keep it dry until your first review.
• Reviews: we see you again about a week later, and again after that, to check how it’s healing.
• Healing and patience: the area usually settles over a few weeks, but the immune response is delayed and can take around 6 to 8 months. Being patient, knowing what to expect and keeping up your home care afterwards are really important.

As with any procedure, there’s a small risk of infection, which we keep low with sterile technique. Because warts are viral, they can occasionally come back. We’ll talk you through whether Falknor’s needling is right for you at your assessment.

What to expect

Plantar warts are known for being tricky to clear, and everyone responds differently. Part of treatment is working out which option you respond to, so most people need a course of appointments with reviews in between. We’ll talk you through a plan that suits you.

Please keep your review appointments, even if the wart looks better. We remove the softened wart tissue at each visit, which is an important part of treatment.

Warts in kids

Plantar warts are very common in children, and many go away on their own with time, so we usually only treat them if they’re sore, spreading or getting in the way of what they love. For younger kids we use gentle options with protective padding, plus a simple product to continue at home, and keep appointments relaxed.

After an acid treatment

Acid treatments can cause some side effects, such as pain, blistering, infection and, very rarely, a break in the skin (ulceration). Some discomfort is expected, and everyone reacts differently.

• Keep the dressing dry and leave it on for as long as we advise
• If you have severe pain, remove all the dressings, flush the area with salt water, cover it with an antiseptic and a clean dressing, and call us as soon as possible
• Wash the acid off in the shower when advised, then apply a fresh dressing each day until your review

When to call us

If you notice shooting pain, shiny redness, swelling or other signs of infection, contact us straight away. If you can’t reach us, see your GP as soon as possible.

Looking after your feet at home

• Wash your feet with a gentle body wash and a scrubbing brush for about 30 seconds in the shower
• Apply a urea-based cream daily after showering to help soften and shed thick skin
• Wear thongs or shoes at pools, change rooms and shared showers
• Don’t pick or scratch the wart, and wash your hands if you touch it
• Keep your own towel, socks and nail file, and don’t share them
• Cover the wart when swimming

Review with your GP

A plantar wart can sometimes be a sign that your immune system is stressed. This isn’t always the case, but it’s a good idea to review your general health with your GP, especially if warts keep coming back.

Sometimes advice is all you need

Not everyone needs treatment. Sometimes the most helpful thing is a clear explanation of what’s going on, practical advice and a plan you can manage yourself. We’ll always talk you through every option, including no treatment, so you can decide what’s right for you.

Frequently asked questions