Are Plantar Warts Contagious?

Plantar warts are warts that develop on the bottom of the feet. These warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a contagious virus that infects the top layer of skin. HPV typically enters the body through broken skin, and warts are spread through direct contact with the virus. Sharing personal items that can harbor the virus, such as towels, shoes, socks, and razors can cause an infection. If you already have a wart, you can also reinfect yourself by touching the wart and then touching another part of your body. Warts often take months to develop after you have come in contact with HPV, so it is important to prevent HPV infections in the first place. Some prevention strategies include not sharing personal items, keeping the feet dry, and wearing shoes when walking through public areas or on warm, moist surfaces, like those at a public swimming pool. For more information about plantar warts, consult with a podiatrist.  

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Richard Silverstein from Union Foot Care. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Havre de Grace, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Plantar Warts

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Neuhaus Foot & Ankle: Podiatry

Can Plantar Warts Spread?: Neuhaus Foot & Ankle: Podiatry

You might have been told as a child that you shouldn’t touch warts because they can spread, and there’s some truth to it. As an adult, if you’ve developed plantar warts on your feet, you’re probably worried about them affecting other parts of your body — or someone else.

While the potential for plantar warts to spread exists, the threat is easily remedied with prompt treatment at our practice. In this month’s blog post, our team of podiatry experts here at Neuhaus Foot and Ankle, with 10 locations throughout Tennessee, is focusing on plantar warts and how to keep them from spreading.

Plantar warts at a glance

Plantar warts are so named because of their location on the bottom side of your feet (the plantar side). Like other warts, plantar warts stem from a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Despite its seemingly menacing name, the HPV virus is incredibly common, and there are more than 100 types.

In most cases, HPV infections that lead to warts aren’t cause for alarm, but they can be problematic, especially when they develop in areas that pose problems in terms of comfort. And this can certainly be true of your feet. When these warts form on the soles of your feet, they can make walking uncomfortable and painful.

Can plantar warts spread?

Plantar warts are caused by a virus that can be contagious. In fact, you developed the warts because you came into contact with a certain strain of the HPV virus.

That said, there are some points to consider. The HPV virus that led to your plantar warts prefers a certain type of skin and will mostly stick to that area. That means that your plantar warts will likely stay confined to your feet.

But if you pick at the warts with your fingers, the virus may transfer to your hands and other parts of your body. If your immunity to the HPV virus isn’t strong, there is potential for the warts to spread. That is why we suggest that anytime you touch the warts, you wash your hands immediately after. 

The same holds true for passing along the virus to others. We suggest that you avoid sharing towels or socks with others and always wear shoes in public spaces. 

Treating your plantar warts

The best way to prevent plantar warts from spreading is to seek prompt care. We offer several treatments to eliminate these uncomfortable growths, including:

• Injections that target the virus
• Liquid nitrogen to freeze the warts
• Prescription-strength topical salicylic acid and cantharone medications 
• Pulsed-dye laser treatments to shut off the blood supply to your warts
• Minor surgery to excise the warts 

Eliminating your plantar warts can go a long way toward preventing them from spreading and will also make walking more comfortable.

If you want to eliminate your plantar warts please contact one of our offices in Hermitage, Brentwood, Nashville, Mount Juliet, Waverly, Smyrna, Gallatin, Columbia, Pulaski, or Lebanon to schedule an appointment.

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