Plantar warts

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Plantar warts

Also known as verrucas

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Summary

Plantar warts are caused by the HPV virus. They’re transmitted by touching contaminated skin or surfaces.
They look like small, white or yellow growths on the feet. They can be painful.
Topical salicylic acid applied directly to the plantar wart is the most common treatment.

Plantar warts: essential info
Causes
What are my options?
FAQ

Reviewed on February 18, 2026. by

Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer

Next review due on February 18, 2029

Last updated on April 24, 2026

Find the plantar warts treatment that’s best for you.

We’ve got a range of options, and our clinicians can help you find the one that’s best for your body and your budget.

Imiquimod

A white droplet of cream being smeared upwards.

In stock

Topical cream that helps treat and prevent warts. Comes in a 5% dose.

Starting at $91.95

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Salicylic acid

In stock

Topical treatment that softens tough skin and destroys infected cells. Comes in a 17% and 40% concentration.

Starting at $83.95

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What are plantar warts?

Plantar warts are caused by a virus (HPV) infecting the skin. They only appear on the feet and since they’re often more likely to be painful than other types of warts, they can make walking difficult. You can also spread them to others through skin-to-skin contact or contaminated surfaces. So it’s good to treat your plantar warts if you can.

Who gets plantar warts?

Plantar warts can affect anyone, but babies and very young children are less likely to develop plantar warts. Because they’re spread through contact with the HPV virus, you might be more likely to catch them if your feet are often bare in shared spaces. Gyms, swimming pools, and shared showers are common places to catch plantar warts, as there is a lot of opportunity to have the HPV virus transferred onto the feet.

How common are plantar warts?

We don’t know exactly how common plantar warts are compared to other types of wart, but we know many people get them at some point in their lives. They’re especially common among children in school and adolescents. One study noted that two in a hundred adults sought help for plantar warts each year.^[1] So we know it’s a common skin problem.

Treated trusted source:

Bruggink, S., et al. (2010). Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen versus topical salicylic acid application for cutaneous warts in primary care: randomized controlled trial. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 182(15), pp.1624-1630.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on February 18, 2026. Next review due on February 18, 2029.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

What causes plantar warts?

Like other kinds of warts, plantar warts are caused by the HPV virus. You generally catch it through contaminated surfaces. Wearing socks or shower shoes in shared areas can help stop you from catching plantar warts. Don’t share shoes with people either, as this can spread the infection. It’s a common misconception that plantar warts and other types of warts are caused by poor hygiene. The infection causing the plantar wart burrows under the skin, so no amount of washing with soap and water will get rid of them.

What are the symptoms of plantar warts?

Plantar warts often look like white or yellow circles and have dark spots inside. They’re often more painful than other kinds of warts. This is mostly because there’s more pressure on your feet than the rest of your body, from walking, standing, and friction from footwear.

Your doctor will usually diagnose plantar warts just by looking at them and asking about your symptoms. Rarely, they might be unsure if it’s a plantar wart, a corn, or a callus. They may need to look closer for tiny broken blood vessels, or try trimming away the top layer of skin to make them more obvious. If there are signs of melanoma, like a rapidly growing mass, you should talk to your doctor right away.^[1]

Can plantar warts lead to other problems?

The most common problem caused by plantar warts is pain and discomfort. If your plantar warts go untreated and don’t heal, they can also cause you difficulty walking. Be careful touching your plantar warts. If you transfer the virus to your hands, you might spread the HPV virus to other parts of your body and develop common warts. You might also develop a secondary bacterial infection on your feet from breaking the skin. This can sometimes even leave scars on the feet.

You can also spread plantar warts to others. To avoid this, you should wear socks or shoes when using shared spaces like gyms and shower shoes in communal showers. If you share a bed with someone, try to wear socks in bed. You can also try covering your plantar warts with plasters to further stop the spread.

Treated trusted source:

BPAC NZ (2014). Plantar warts: a persistently perplexing problem. Best Practice Journal, 65, pp. 10–19.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on February 18, 2026. Next review due on February 18, 2029.

How we source info.

What medications are there for plantar warts?

Treatment for plantar warts typically comes as topical forms of salicylic acid, so you apply it straight to your skin. These medications are specially formulated for your feet.

Imiquimod is another option when other methods have failed. It’s an off-label treatment, meaning that it’s not been approved by the FDA yet for plantar warts. It is considered a safe and effective treatment,^[1] though, and your doctor may prescribe it for you if other treatments haven’t worked for you

Is there a “best” treatment for plantar warts?

As well as using topical forms of salicylic acid, there are some self-care tips that can help your plantar warts disappear more quickly. Gently exfoliating the area surrounding the plantar wart once a week can make it heal more quickly. Covering it with bandages may also be helpful.

If salicylic acid treatments don’t work to alleviate your plantar warts, it’s worth looking into other options. Some doctors can remove your plantar warts with sessions of cryotherapy, where you freeze the plantar warts until it disappears. This usually takes four to six sessions. It can be painful, and it’s more expensive than salicylic acid treatments, so it’s not often used.

Do plantar warts always need treatment?

Whether you treat your plantar warts is up to you. Sometimes, they go away on their own. About 25% of plantar warts are thought to disappear without treatment after a few months.^[2] But you should be careful not to spread them to others. Keep your plantar warts covered with adhesive bandages and socks or shoes in shared areas. Don’t share clothing, bedding, towels, or footwear with other people.

Treated trusted source:

López-Giménez, M.T. (2013). Five Cases of Recalcitrant Plantar Warts Successfully Treated with Imiquimod 5% Cream. Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas (English Edition), 104(7), pp.640–642.
BPAC NZ (2014). Plantar warts: a persistently perplexing problem. Best Practice Journal, 65, pp. 10–19.

How we source info.

Plantar warts: FAQ

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Can you get side effects from plantar warts treatment?

Answer:

Salicylic acid treatment rarely causes side effects. It can cause some slight burning or irritation when it’s applied. This goes away fairly quickly. But you should avoid using salicylic acid on skin that’s broken or infected, as it could cause scarring. Cryogenic freezing can cause pain, swelling or blisters. Rarely, it also causes scarring or numbness.

Does plantar wart treatment always work?

Answer:

You can usually use topical treatments like salicylic acid until your plantar wart disappears. Most people find that treatment is very effective, and most plantar warts disappear quite quickly. If you have a persistent plantar wart that hasn’t responded to treatment, you can sometimes have it removed with a procedure. People who have a compromised immune system may be more likely to have plantar warts that don’t go away with treatment.

How to tell if it’s a plantar wart versus a corn?

Answer:

It’s not always easy to tell plantar warts and corns apart (sometimes even for doctors), but here’s what to look for:

Appearance: A key difference between them is that plantar warts appear grainy, fleshy, and have pinpoints, while corns look more like hard and thick bumps surrounded by dry skin.

Cause: Plantar warts are caused by a virus and are contagious, while corns are caused by friction and pressure (like shoes that are too tight) and aren’t contagious.

Age and general health: Anyone can develop both plantar warts and corns, but plantar warts tend to be more common in people who have weaker immune systems, like children, or people with conditions that affect the immune system, like HIV.

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