Plantar Wart Treatment in Kalamazoo, MI

Remove Painful Warts and Get Back on Your Feet

Plantar warts are small growths that appear on the bottom of the feet, often on weight-bearing areas like the heel or ball of the foot. They are caused by a viral infection (human papillomavirus or HPV) that enters the skin through tiny cuts or abrasions. Though typically benign, plantar warts can become painful and may multiply or spread if left untreated.

At Kalamazoo Foot Surgery, we offer effective treatment options for plantar warts—including in-office removal and non-invasive therapies—so you can walk comfortably again and prevent recurrence.

Common Causes of Plantar Warts

You’re more likely to develop plantar warts if you:

• Walk barefoot in public places such as pools, locker rooms, or showers
• Have cuts or cracks in the soles of your feet
• Have a weakened immune system
• Share socks or shoes with someone who has warts
• Are a child or teen (more susceptible to HPV infections)

HPV thrives in warm, moist environments and enters through broken skin on the feet.

Symptoms of Plantar Warts

Plantar warts can be identified by:

• A small, rough growth on the bottom of the foot
• A hardened, callused area over the wart (caused by pressure)
• Tiny black dots inside the lesion (clotted blood vessels)
• Pain or tenderness when walking or standing
• Wart clusters (mosaic warts) in more severe cases

Unlike corns or calluses, plantar warts disrupt the natural skin lines and are caused by a virus, not pressure or friction alone.

Diagnosis

At Kalamazoo Foot Surgery, your evaluation will include:

• Visual examination of the lesion
• Gentle scraping to look for pinpoint bleeding (a common wart sign)
• Palpation to test for tenderness or pain with pressure
• Ruling out other causes of plantar lesions like corns, calluses, or foreign bodies

Most plantar warts can be diagnosed clinically, but we’ll confirm whether treatment is necessary based on your symptoms and activity level.

Treatment Options for Plantar Warts

Not all warts require treatment—some resolve on their own. However, painful, persistent, or spreading warts benefit from medical care. We tailor treatment based on severity, location, and recurrence.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Common first-line treatments include:

• Prescription-strength salicylic acid to break down wart tissue
• Cryotherapy – freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen
• Topical immunotherapy to trigger the body’s immune response
• Laser treatment to target blood vessels that feed the wart
• Needling or debridement to help the body recognize and fight the virus
• Cantharidin application – a blistering agent used to lift wart tissue painlessly

Most patients require a series of treatments spaced over several weeks.

Surgical Removal

In rare cases where warts are resistant to conservative treatment, surgical excision may be recommended. This procedure is done in-office under local anesthesia and involves carefully removing the wart while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.

We only consider surgery if less invasive methods have failed or if the wart is interfering with walking or activity.

Preventing Future Warts

To reduce the chance of recurrence or spreading the virus to others:

• Avoid walking barefoot in communal areas
• Change socks daily and keep feet clean and dry
• Disinfect your shoes and shower floors regularly
• Avoid picking at or touching the wart
• Wear shower shoes in gyms, pools, or locker rooms

Our team can recommend foot hygiene practices and immune-supporting strategies based on your lifestyle.