Plantar warts, also known as verrucas, are a common problem on the soles of the feet. Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), they can be painful, stubborn, and sometimes resistant to pharmacy treatments. At London Wart Clinic, our private doctors see patients every week who have been struggling with plantar warts for months or even years.
What Are Plantar Warts?
A plantar wart develops when HPV infects the skin on the sole of the foot. Unlike common warts, which grow outward, plantar warts are flattened and pushed inward by the pressure of walking.
- They are particularly common in children and teenagers.
- HPV is often picked up in swimming pools, communal showers, and gyms.
- Up to 10% of school-aged children in the UK will have a verruca at some stage.
Symptoms of Plantar Warts
Plantar warts have distinct features that make them easier to recognise compared to corns or calluses.
| Symptom | What It Looks/Feels Like | Distinguishing Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Flat lesion | Pressed into the sole due to walking pressure | Unlike raised common warts |
| Black dots | Small clotted blood vessels inside the wart | Sometimes mistaken for “seeds” |
| Pain on pressure | Feels like a stone under the foot when walking | Common reason for treatment |
| Cluster (mosaic wart) | Group of smaller warts merging together | Often more resistant to treatment |
Can Plantar Warts Go Away on Their Own?
In children, some verrucas disappear naturally within 1–2 years as the immune system clears the virus. In adults, they are often more persistent. Many patients wait months in the hope the wart will resolve, only to find it grows deeper or spreads to other areas of the foot.
Removal Options for Plantar Warts
While over-the-counter treatments are often the first step, many cases need professional intervention.
Pharmacy treatments:
- Salicylic acid gels or plasters: soften the wart but require daily use for 8–12 weeks.
- Freezing kits: weaker than medical cryotherapy, limited effectiveness.
Private clinic treatments at London Wart Clinic:
| Treatment | How It Works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryotherapy | Liquid nitrogen freezes the wart, causing blistering and destruction of infected tissue. | Widely used, relatively quick. | Painful, may need repeat sessions. |
| Cautery (electrosurgery) | Heat probe burns away wart tissue under local anaesthetic. | Immediate clearance, effective for stubborn verrucas. | May scar, downtime required. |
| Laser wart removal | Focused light cuts off wart’s blood supply. | Effective for resistant or multiple verrucas. | More expensive, may require local anaesthetic. |
| Surgical excision | Verruca cut out under anaesthetic. | Guaranteed removal of lesion. | Leaves a wound, possible scarring. |
When to See a Doctor
Consider seeking private treatment if:
- The verruca is painful or makes walking difficult.
- It has persisted for more than six months without improvement.
- It is spreading or forming a mosaic cluster.
- Pharmacy treatments have failed.
At London Wart Clinic, our surgeons offer effective treatments for plantar warts, helping patients return to normal activities without discomfort.