Can Plantar Warts Go Away on Their Own?

Plantar warts are growths that most often appear on the sides of the toes or the soles of the feet. While plantar warts are typically harmless, there are times when you may need to have a professional treat them.

Acacia Foot & Ankle Surgeons offers high-quality care for individuals with painful or recurrent plantar warts.

Our board-certified podiatrist, Kaveh Panahi, DPM, uses the least invasive techniques to treat plantar warts and prevent them from spreading.

Why you have plantar warts

Plantar warts are skin growths that develop due to an infection from certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can enter the body through small cuts or breaks in the skin of your foot.

The growth is usually small and feels grainy or rough. A hallmark sign of a plantar wart is a black pinpoint dot in the center of the growth, which is actually a cluster of tiny vessels that supply blood to the wart.

You can become infected with HPV if you share personal items contaminated with the virus, such as towels or shoes. You may also pick the virus up in damp spaces like public showers, gym lockers, or swimming pools.

Touching a plantar wart and then touching another part of your body or someone else can also spread the virus.

What to do when you notice a wart

Not everyone who encounters HPV will develop plantar warts. Their growth depends on your overall health and immune system function.

In some cases, existing warts will go away on their own without medical care. It can take several weeks or months for the warts to disappear naturally, depending on the efficiency of your immune system’s response to an HPV infection.

If you notice a grainy bump on your toes or the sole of your foot, you may not need medical care right away. If you touch the potential wart, wash your hands right away so the virus doesn’t spread.

You can schedule an evaluation at Acacia Foot & Ankle Surgeons if you’re unhappy with the appearance of your skin because of a plantar wart. We also recommend that you seek treatment if a wart is painful or limits your mobility.

Treatment options to eliminate plantar warts

An effective treatment for plantar warts involves the application of a topical salicylic acid that peels away layers of the wart. Over-the-counter products are available to treat warts at home. We can also prescribe a stronger formula if needed.

Dr. Panahi may also recommend minimally invasive treatments like:

• Cryotherapy (freezing)
• Laser treatments
• Immunotherapy
• Surgical removal

We also offer cantharone, a topical medication that causes a blister to form over the wart within a few hours. The blister features a chemical that kills cells infected with HPV within hours of application.

Within a few days of treatment, the wart will lift away from your skin. Dr. Panahi can remove any remaining wart tissue during a quick, in-office procedure.

If you have a large or painful plantar wart, call Acacia Foot & Ankle Surgeons in Phoenix or Peoria, Arizona today to schedule a consultation. You can also use our online feature to book a diagnostic evaluation.