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KEY POINTS
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A plantar wart is a small growth or bump on the skin of the bottom of your foot.
Warts are caused by viruses. Warts can spread from another part of your body to your foot. You may get a wart from touching someone else’s warts. Some people get warts more easily than other people.
You may notice a growth on the bottom of your foot. It may grow directly into the sole of your foot, it may stick out from the surface of the foot, or it may do both. It may hurt when you put weight on your foot.
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine the bottom of your foot.
Plantar warts can be treated in different ways. Your healthcare provider may:
You can get nonprescription wart medicines and wart freezing applications at the drug store so you can treat the wart at home. Another treatment you can do at home uses duct tape: Cover the wart with duct tape. Once a week, remove the tape and soak the wart in water. Gently rub the wart with an emery board, sandpaper, or pumice stone. Put duct tape back on the wart about 12 hours later. Repeat this process until the wart is gone. It may take up to 2 months.
Most plantar warts go away without treatment in 6 months to 2 years. Some warts may not go away completely even with treatment, or they may grow back.
The wart may be less painful if you put a doughnut bandage over the wart. This type of bandage surrounds the wart, leaving a hole directly over the wart. It keeps pressure off the wart.
Follow your healthcare provider's instructions. Ask your provider:
Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.
You are more likely to get a plantar wart if you walk barefoot a lot. Wearing shoes or sandals, especially in places like locker rooms, may help prevent plantar warts.