How To Get Rid Of A Plantar Wart?

At My Family Podiatry, we regularly see patients of all ages concerned they may have a plantar wart. While plantar warts are more common in children and teenagers, they can affect anyone and are often far more painful than people expect. Many patients present after weeks or months of discomfort, unsure whether they are dealing with a wart, a corn, or another skin condition entirely.

If you live in Albany Creek or North Brisbane and are dealing with a painful spot on the sole of your foot, this guide explains what plantar warts are, how to recognise them, the treatment options that actually work, and how we manage them safely in clinic.

What Is A Plantar Wart?

Plantar warts, also known as verruca pedis, are caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV. There are many strains of HPV, and certain types infect the skin on the feet. The virus thrives in warm, moist environments and spreads easily through direct contact.

This is why plantar warts are commonly picked up in places such as communal showers, swimming pools, change rooms and gym floors. Walking barefoot in these environments increases the risk, particularly if the skin has small cuts or abrasions.

Plantar warts can appear as a single lesion or as a cluster known as mosaic warts. They often develop on weight bearing areas of the foot such as the heel or ball of the foot, which is why they can become painful during walking or sport.

A key feature of plantar warts is disruption of the normal skin lines. You may also notice small black dots within the lesion, which are tiny blood vessels supplying the wart tissue.

Plantar Wart Anatomy

Understanding the Stages of a Plantar Wart

Plantar warts do not appear overnight. They typically progress through several stages.

In the early stage, a small, rough area of skin may appear with minimal discomfort. As the wart matures, it becomes thicker, more painful and more embedded into the skin, particularly due to pressure from walking. Without treatment, some plantar warts may eventually resolve on their own, but this process can take years and often involves ongoing pain, spread to other areas, or transmission to other family members.

For active children, athletes and adults who spend long hours on their feet, waiting for a wart to resolve naturally is rarely practical.

Plantar Wart Treatments: Over The Counter vs Professional Care

There is no shortage of home remedies and over the counter treatments for plantar warts. Many patients try duct tape, home freezing kits, or low strength acids before seeking professional help. Unfortunately, the skin on the sole of the foot is much thicker than other areas, which means these treatments often fail to penetrate deeply enough to treat the viral tissue.

At My Family Podiatry, we use targeted medical grade treatments designed specifically for plantar warts. This usually involves careful debridement of the thickened skin overlying the wart, followed by application of phenol, salicylic acid or silver nitrate to the wart tissue. The area is then dressed securely and reviewed regularly.

This approach allows us to treat the wart accurately while minimising damage to surrounding healthy skin. While some mild discomfort can occur, it is generally far better tolerated than aggressive freezing treatments.

In many cases, once one wart begins to resolve, the body’s immune response improves and other warts may also settle.

How To Prevent Plantar Warts

While treatment is effective, prevention remains important, especially in households with children or shared facilities.

Wearing thongs or footwear in communal showers, pools and change rooms reduces exposure to HPV. Covering cuts or abrasions on the feet helps prevent viral entry. Avoid sharing socks, shoes or towels with someone who has an active plantar wart. If a wart is present, avoiding picking or cutting it reduces the risk of spread.

When To See A Podiatrist

You should seek professional assessment if a painful lesion on your foot is not improving, is spreading, or is affecting your ability to walk comfortably. Many conditions can mimic plantar warts, including corns and callus, and treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis.

At our Albany Creek clinic, we regularly assess and treat plantar warts for patients across North Brisbane, helping them return to comfortable walking as quickly as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plantar Warts

How can I tell if it is a plantar wart or a corn?

There are a couple of tests to check if it is a corn or a wart.

A wart is normally most painful when pressure is applied from the sides, a corn is normally worst with pressure directly on top.

A wart will disrupt the normal striations on your skin (the lines similar to your fingerprint) where a corn will not.

Plantar warts typically have small black dots that are visible in the painful area, corns will not have this.

Are plantar warts contagious?

Yes. They are caused by a virus and can spread to other areas of your foot or to other people through shared surfaces.

Do plantar warts go away on their own?

Some do, but this can take months or years. Many people seek treatment because of pain, spread, or impact on daily activities.

Is treatment painful?

Professional treatment is generally well tolerated. Most patients find it far more comfortable than freezing treatments or repeated home remedies.

Can children be treated for plantar warts?

Yes. We regularly treat children and adjust treatment approaches based on comfort and age.

Book an Appointment

Plantar warts can be stubborn, painful and frustrating, but with the right treatment they can be successfully resolved. At My Family Podiatry, we provide professional plantar wart treatment in Albany Creek for patients across North Brisbane.

If you are concerned about a painful spot on your foot, call us on 07 3088 6116 or click the button below to book online to have it assessed properly and treated safely.

Book An Appointment