plantar warts – Anderson Podiatry Center

A New Treatment to Remove the Root Cause of Plantar Warts: SWIFT Laser Device

Posted on November 8, 2024June 27, 2025 by admin

Plantar warts are small, rough growths that appear on the soles of the feet, caused by an infection from the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is a type of virus that can also cause genital warts, and it can be spread. The virus enters through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin. We’ll also take a closer look at how plantar warts develop. By understanding how they develop, you can take steps to reduce your risk and prevent their spread.

What is the cause of plantar warts?

The causes of plantar warts are simply that your body’s immune system is not fighting the wart virus. Yes, warts are contagious but why do some people get them more than others? This can be from an immune system not strong enough to fight the virus.

Weakened Immune System: Individuals with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to developing plantar warts which may correlate with alterations in hormone levels.
Hormones: Examples of how hormones may play a role include the tendency for warts to appear more frequently during puberty and a possible association with birth control pills.
Direct Contact: Touching a wart or sharing personal items like towels or shoes with someone who has warts can lead to transmission.
Moist Environments: HPV thrives in warm, moist environments, making feet particularly vulnerable.
Walking Barefoot: Walking barefoot in public areas like locker rooms, swimming pools, or communal showers increases the risk of contracting HPV.

Presentation of warts on your feet

Warts can occur anywhere in the body, but the most common part of the body where they appear is on the feet typically on the bottom of the foot or in the toes. They appear harder than normal skin and can cause pain when pressure is applied to them, especially when squeezed. They oftentimes will have dark specks on them and when trimming a wart, there can be small areas of pinpoint bleeding because there are tiny blood vessels within the wart tissue. A wart can present in a single area and the size can vary greatly. The most difficult presentation of a wart is called a mosaic wart. This type of wart consists of multiple small warts over a large area.

Treatments for plantar warts

Home Remedies

The following are home remedies that you may want to try.

Salicylic Acid – There are over-the-counter products with salicylic acid, commonly used for treating warts caused by HPV, which is also one of the causes of plantar warts. These products are applied daily and slowly eat away the wart. If the warts are multiple or large, this process may take a while, as over-the-counter salicylic acid is not a prescription strength.
Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar is thought to be acidic and can help destroy the wart tissue. The suggested method is applying apple cider vinegar to a cotton ball and taping it to the wart overnight.
Pumice Stones – Often used alongside salicylic acid, a pumice stone can be rubbed on the wart to remove dead wart tissue.
Duct Tape – Some find that applying duct tape to the wart daily helps to break down the wart tissue.

Conventional Treatments your Podiatrist may recommend

Salicylic Acid (Prescription Strength) – Salicylic acid with a higher concentration or percentage than over-the-counter products may be applied to the foot and reapplied every two weeks. The patient returns to the office and the dead wart tissue will be trimmed away. Salicylic acid will then be reapplied until the wart is gone. The number of treatments can greatly vary.
Cantharone – Cantharone treatment is similar to salicylic acid. However, Catharone creates an allergic reaction (blister) which is destructive to the wart and the treatments are every two weeks until full destruction of the warts has taken place.
Surgical Excision – When surgery is performed, it is usually in a clinical setting and you can walk immediately. Anesthesia is used to numb the area.
Laser Treatments – Various forms of laser may be used to destroy wart tissue.
Bleomycin Injections – This can be done into the wart tissue as bleomycin injections are thought to be destructive to the wart.
Liquid Nitrogen – Liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze the wart, and it is used a lot by primary care doctors and dermatologists as it is used throughout the body, but it is not favored by most foot specialists as we believe it is not as effective on warts of the foot. The reason for this is that most warts on the foot are on weight-bearing areas of the skin and the body’s weight pushes those warts deeper into the skin where the liquid nitrogen may not penetrate.

The Fallacy of Wart Treatments

All home remedies and conventional treatments by doctors have one thing in common: they are all destructive in nature. The goal is to destroy the wart by different means, but the underlying causes of plantar warts have never been fully addressed until now. Continue reading to understand how the SWIFT device targets the root cause of the problem, helping to reduce the recurrence rate.

The SWIFT device as a treatment for Plantar Warts is a game changer! It can strengthen the immune system to get rid of the wart and once treatment is completed, the patient is less likely ever to have wart recurrence.

Introducing the SWIFT device for the treatment of plantar warts

The SWIFT device was introduced as a medical device approximately 3 years ago and it is the only known treatment that is able to treat the cause of the wart.

How does the SWIFT device work for plantar warts on your feet?

The SWIFT device produces microwave heat energy and delivers microwave heat into the tissue. The treatment involves five two-second applications of this energy. There are no side effects afterward and no discomfort after treatment. This microwave heat has an effect on heat shock proteins within the viral tissue. The heat shock proteins are released during the treatments which alert the immune system of the HPV virus. By altering these heat shock proteins, the body’s immune system recognizes the virus and attacks the wart tissue. A minimum of three treatments are needed spaced at one-month intervals.

The SWIFT device has been our treatment of choice for plantar warts as it provides a safe and effective option. It does not require the patient to have destructive, painful treatments that may require dressings or keeping the foot dry during treatment. It is also the smartest way to treat warts as we’re not managing the condition but rather using a technology that addresses the root cause. So, if you have been struggling with wart treatments, please consider this new technology as the preferred option. With two convenient foot and ankle clinical locations in Fort Collins and Broomfield, Colorado, our experienced doctors will talk you through the procedure and what to expect. Check our YouTube video on plantar warts here.

Call us today at our Fort Collins location (970) 484-4620, Broomfield location (720) 259-5053 or use our online scheduling system to book your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Causes of Plantar Warts

What causes plantar warts to develop?
Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the outer layer of skin on the soles of your feet.
How does HPV enter the skin to cause plantar warts?
The virus enters the skin through tiny cuts, abrasions, or cracks on the surface of the feet, often in moist environments like locker rooms or swimming pools.
Is HPV contagious, and can it spread to others?
Yes, HPV is contagious and can spread through direct contact with an infected person or surface, such as shared showers or towels.
Why do some people get plantar warts while others don’t?
Susceptibility depends on individual factors like immune system strength, skin integrity, and frequent exposure to high-risk environments.
Can wearing certain types of footwear contribute to plantar warts?
Yes, wearing shoes that trap moisture or walking barefoot in public places increases the risk of contracting the HPV virus and developing plantar warts.

Children and Plantar Warts

Posted on December 27, 2016July 1, 2025 by admin

Children and Plantar Warts

Plantar warts (simply: warts on the feet) are a very common issue for people of all ages. It’s estimated that 7-10% of the US population has some type of wart infection. It’s especially prevalent in children, with approximately 10-20% of children in the US affected. These are most common from the ages of 12-16 and girls are affected more frequently than boys.

Although these skin lesions are typically harmless, they can cause pain and discomfort as well as being unsightly. They’re also highly contagious and can easily be spread to others through both direct and indirect contact. This means that warts can be spread either by coming in contact with someone’s wart with your bare skin or by having bare skin contact with an object recently touched by someone else’s wart (ie: shower floor, socks, towels, etc.).

Diagnosis is usually done by physical examination. This typically involves trimming of the wart to remove any hard outer callus and looking for the telltale signs of wart infection. These symptoms can be subtle, and proper diagnosis should always be done by a qualified specialist.

Here are some common causes and risk factors for plantar warts in children:

Direct Contact: The HPV virus that causes the warts is contagious and spreads through direct contact with an infected person or surface. Children can contract the virus by walking barefoot in damp, warm environments like public swimming pools, locker rooms, or communal showers.
Weakened Immune System: Children that have weaker immune systems typically take immuno suppressive medications, and that is why are more likely to develop warts.
Cuts or Abrasions: The infection often enter the skin through tiny cuts, scrapes, or abrasions on the feet. Children who have minor foot injuries or whose skin is compromised in some way may be at higher risk.
Walking Barefoot: Children who frequently walk barefoot in areas where the virus is present are more likely to come into contact with the HPV strain responsible.
Personal Hygiene: Lack of proper foot hygiene, such as not washing feet regularly, can contribute to the spread of the virus.

It’s essential for parents and caregivers to educate children about the importance of foot hygiene, avoiding walking barefoot in public areas, and wearing flip-flops or other protective footwear in communal spaces to reduce the risk of contracting warts.

Treating Plantar Warts

Once the diagnosis of has been made, treatment can be started. Success rates for wart treatments in the adult population are often very low with cure rates for an initial treatment ranging from 5-10%. Subsequent treatments are typically needed. Success rates for initial treatments for children are much better, typically in the 50-60% success range. Various treatment options exist including over the counter topicals, laser therapies, surgical excision, as well as more aggressive topical therapies that are applied under a doctor’s supervision. The best treatment option can vary from person to person depending on age, severity, and location on the foot.

Regardless of which treatment is used, prevention of spread is always very important to avoid re-infection and to avoid passing it along to someone else. My recommendations to prevent spreading warts include:

Always wear shower shoes in public locker rooms and changing rooms. This includes anyone with warts but also anyone without them.
If your child has warts they should not share socks, shoes, towels, or anything else that may come in contact with their wart with anyone else.
Cover all warts with waterproof bandage for any swimming or outdoor barefoot activity.
Anyone with warts should avoid touching the warts directly with their hands and then touching anything or anyone else. Regular hand washing is encouraged to prevent this.

Emotional Impact on Children

Plantar warts can have a notable emotional impact on children. These benign but sometimes painful growths on the soles of their feet can lead to a range of emotions and concerns. Children may feel embarrassed or self-conscious about the appearance of the warts, especially if they are in visible areas. Additionally, the discomfort or pain associated with this foot issue can lead to frustration and anxiety, as it may interfere with their daily activities and play. It’s essential for parents and caregivers to provide emotional support, address any concerns, and seek prompt treatment to alleviate both the physical and emotional distress caused by it in children.

Seeing a Podiatrist at the Right Time

Children with warts should see a podiatrist if the warts cause pain, discomfort, or if there are signs of infection. Additionally, it’s advisable to consult a podiatrist if home treatments, such as over-the-counter wart removers, are ineffective or if the warts persist or multiply. Podiatrists are specialists in diagnosing and treating foot conditions, including plantar warts, and can provide appropriate care and guidance tailored to the child’s specific situation.

In some cases, the issue may resolve on their own without medical intervention. However, seeing a podiatrist can help ensure a correct diagnosis, prevent complications, and provide treatment options to alleviate discomfort or pain, especially in cases where warts become problematic or painful for the child. Early intervention can help manage warts more effectively and minimize their impact on a child’s well-being.

If you suspect that you or your child may have such a foot condition I encourage you to make an appointment with an experienced health professional. The sooner they get properly diagnosed, the sooner treatment can be started, and the sooner those warts can be HISTORY! Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns. We have the SWIFT plantar warts treatment system and more information on how it works can be found here.

4 Essential Points to Understanding Foot Warts

Posted on October 25, 2016July 1, 2025 by admin

Tis the season for witches and warts! But foot warts aren’t selective to green-faced brewers; even the cleanest mortals can fall prey to these nasty little growths.

Foot warts can be the most persistent, painful, and embarrassing nuisances, but sometimes it seems it would take a magic spell to be rid of them! But take heart, for the solution you seek is not in a black kettle, but right here on this page!

What are foot warts?

If you don’t know what exactly a foot wart is, you are not alone. Many people still believe warts come from toads—not so. They are actually a virus. Unlike the viruses that plague us from the inside of our body, warts are very much visible on the surface of our skin. They are small, hard, grainy growths. Oftentimes you can see little black dots on the surface, which are the blood vessels feeding the growth (very vampire-esque).

The unsightly appearance of warts is not their only detestable trait; some warts can be agitating or even painful, especially those located on the bottom of your feet known as plantar warts. These warts can be mistaken for callouses or bunions since they do not rise up off the skin as much as other warts, particularly because they are being pressed down on when you walk—which is what makes them the most uncomfortable type of wart.

How do you get foot warts?

Warts appear when your skin comes in contact with the wart virus and causes an infection. They most often develop in broken skin, such as a cuts or scratches. Cracked dry feet, for example, are susceptible to plantar warts, especially when walking bare-foot in a public area like a locker room shower.

Children develop plantar warts more commonly than adults, most likely due to their weaker immune systems, as well as the fact that they more commonly play with their shoes off and around other children or equipment that may be carrying the virus.

Warts are not loners. Like all viruses, they like to spread. So to add to their list of unpleasant qualities, warts can multiply–on your skin, your friend’s skin, your kid’s…anywhere they touch they make friends! This is why it’s critical to attack a wart virus as soon as it’s discovered and uproot it before it has a chance to colonize! Fortunately, this is not a fast-growing virus comparatively, so no need to panic when a wart makes its appearance! Just address it as soon as it’s noticed.

How to Avoid Foot Warts:

Wash skin regularly -namely exposed skin like hands and feet
Keep hands and feet moisturized
Wear sandals/flip-flops when using locker rooms or public showers
Cover open cuts with bandages

How to get rid of foot warts:

Oftentimes warts disappear on their own, but this usually takes a year or more! Some warts can be taken care of with over-the-counter treatment. But if this fails, you will need to seek medical care from a dermatologist, or in the case of plantar warts, a podiatrist.

No need to blend in with the witches and goblins this month (there’s face paint for that!). Take care of those pesky foot warts once and for all!