Plantar Wart ICD-10: B07.0

Viral skin infection

Often searched as: wart on bottom of foot, painful spot on sole of foot, black dots on foot wart, hard lump on bottom of foot, foot wart that hurts to walk, plantar wart treatment, wart on heel, how to get rid of foot wart…

Clinical urgency level

lowmediumhigh

Systems Affected

skin (plantar surface of the foot)

Severity Levels

mild

One or few small painless plantar warts not on a weight-bearing area — can be monitored or treated at home with salicylic acid.

moderate

Multiple or mosaic warts, located on the heel or ball of foot causing pain when walking — requires professional treatment (cryotherapy, laser, or acid therapy).

severe

Extensive mosaic warts covering large areas of the sole, severely limiting walking, or resistant to multiple treatment attempts — may require surgical intervention or advanced therapies.

Red Flags

Warts spreading rapidly to cover large areas of the sole (mosaic warts)
Severe pain affecting normal walking or daily activities
Wart not responding after 3–4 months of consistent at-home treatment
Any growth on the foot that bleeds spontaneously or changes rapidly — rule out amelanotic melanoma
Plantar warts in a diabetic patient — risk of secondary infection and poor healing
Extensive warts in an immunocompromised person

Clinical Presentation

Plantar wart — rough grainy wart with black dots on the sole of the foot

Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 )

Plantar wart image gallery — DermNet NZ

View gallery on DermNet NZ (image gallery reference)

When to See a Doctor

See a doctor if your plantar wart is causing significant pain, has been present for more than 2 years without improvement, is spreading to cover a large area, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system. Any foot lesion that bleeds, changes color, or grows unusually fast should be evaluated to rule out more serious conditions.

Differential Diagnosis

Corn (callus) — no black dots, smooth surface, no viral cause
Callus — diffuse, no central dark core
Melanoma acral (rare but critical — irregular, pigmented, on sole)
Porokeratosis plantaris (ring-shaped scaly lesion)
Foreign body reaction (embedded splinter or glass)
Myrmecia wart (deep, painful single wart — HPV type 1)

Comorbidities

Atopic dermatitis (impaired skin barrier — higher susceptibility)
Immunosuppression (HIV, transplant — extensive or treatment-resistant warts)
Diabetes mellitus (higher infection risk and slower healing)
Flat feet or abnormal gait (increased pressure on wart-prone areas)

Prognosis

Up to 65% of plantar warts resolve spontaneously within 2 years in immunocompetent individuals, especially children. However, treatment is often sought due to pain. Salicylic acid (over-the-counter) is the most evidence-based first-line treatment — consistent daily use for 12+ weeks achieves cure in ~75% of cases. Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) is the most common professional treatment. Recurrence is common because HPV can persist in surrounding skin. Mosaic warts (clusters of many small warts) are particularly stubborn and may require multiple treatments.

Detailed Overview

Causes, Symptoms, and When to Take Action A plantar wart is a benign growth on the sole of the foot caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). These warts are typically harmless but can cause discomfort, especially when located on weight-bearing areas. How It Looks Texture: Rough, raised papules with a hard, grainy surface Color: Flesh-colored to grayish or brown Shape: Dome-shaped with a rough surface; may display pinpoint black dots (thrombosed capillaries) when pared Location: Commonly found on the soles of the feet, often affecting weight-bearing areas Why Does It Appear? Plantar warts are caused by infection in the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) with HPV. There are over 150 strains of this virus, and plantar warts are usually due to just a few of these strains. Infection leads to overgrowth and thickening of the skin, resulting in a benign (non-cancerous) skin growth. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected skin scales, such as from the floors of public changing rooms, shower cubicles, and areas around swimming pools. They can also spread through autoinoculation, which happens when the warts are transferred to surrounding skin through scratching and rubbing. Should You Be Concerned? Plantar warts are typically benign and may resolve on their own without treatment. However, they can become uncomfortable, particularly if present on weight-bearing areas. If the wart is bleeding, painful, changes in appearance, or interferes with daily activities, it's advisable to consult a healthcare provider. Can You Prevent It? While complete prevention isn't always possible, reducing the risk of plantar warts includes: Avoiding direct contact with warts (your own or others') Keeping feet clean and dry Wearing waterproof footwear in communal areas like swimming pools and locker rooms Not sharing shoes or socks with others 👉 How Piel AI Can Help Piel AI enables you to monitor changes in plantar warts over time through regular imaging. While it does not diagnose, it helps track stability or changes in the lesion and supports conversations with healthcare providers. Summary Plantar warts are benign growths caused by HPV infection in the skin's outer layer. They appear as rough, raised papules, often on weight-bearing areas of the feet. Most resolve without treatment, but can cause discomfort. Monitoring and hygiene practices can aid in management and prevention.

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