Plantar warts are small, grainy bumps that can appear on the soles of the feet due to a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is a contagious virus that can enter the body through a small cut or scrape on the foot, infecting the skin and forming plantar warts. This condition most often affects children, teenagers, and the elderly.

Plantar warts appear as one or more small, grainy bumps of tough, thickened skin. They often have tiny black dots at their center. These are actually dried blood in the capillaries. Pressure endured by your feet while walking can cause the warts to grow inwards. The warts may be painful or tender, especially when pressure is applied to them. This can make walking or standing for prolonged periods of time painful.

There are a variety of treatment methods for plantar warts, including topical medications, laser therapy, cryotherapy, acid treatments, or removing the wart through surgery. You can prevent plantar warts by wearing shoes when walking in public spaces such as pools and locker rooms. Keeping your wart covered can help you avoid spreading it to other people.

If you notice warts on the soles of your feet, please consult with a podiatrist.