Foot warts, which are caused by a virus, can be quite painful. They are frequently called plantar warts because they appear most often on the “plantar surface” (or sole) of a foot. Children, especially teenagers, tend to be more susceptible to warts than adults, but it’s not uncommon for adults to get them. Some people seem to be immune and never get them. Most warts are harmless and benign, even though they may be painful. They are often mistaken for corns, which are layers of dead skin that build up to protect an area which is being continuously irritated. Although they are not overly common, it is also possible that a variety of other more severe lesions, including carcinomas and melanomas, can be mistakenly identified as warts.
On the bottom of the feet, plantar warts tend to be hard and flat, rough-surfaced, with well-defined boundaries. They are generally fleshier when they are on the top of the feet or the toes. They are often gray or brown with a center that appears as one or more pinpoints of black. Identifying these warts can be difficult, so we recommend consulting with our Scottsdale podiatrists for an official diagnosis.
