Why Won’t My Plantar Wart Go Away?
Have you tried everything from freezing kits to salicylic acid pads, and even the duct tape trick, and yet your plantar wart won’t go away? You’re not alone. Plantar warts are rough little growths that show up on the bottom of your feet caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Sometimes they might disappear on their own, some home remedies might help temporarily, but stubborn ones can hang out for months, making every step uncomfortable. If your wart seems determined to stick around, there are a few reasons why.
Common Reasons Your Plantar Wart Isn’t Healing
- Plantar warts can grow deeper due to pressure. They are usually located on the balls and heels of your feet, making them constantly pressed on when you walk or stand. This pressure can push the wart deeper into your skin, making it harder to treat with surface-level remedies.
- Over-the-counter treatments aren’t enough. Most drugstore products often treat only the surface level of the wart, leaving behind the infected tissue beneath. This is why even after weeks of applying medicated pads or gels, the wart can reappear.
- It may not even be a wart. Not all bumps on your foot are plantar warts. These can be corns, calluses, or even more serious conditions that can look similar. A proper diagnosis to your foot condition can help you address it effectively.
- You might be reinfecting yourself. Walking barefoot in communal areas like pools, gyms, or locker rooms exposes your feet to the same virus that caused the wart in the first place. Even if you treat one, you could easily pick up another.
- Your immune system may not be clearing it. Since warts are caused by a virus, your immune system plays a big role in fighting them off. If your body isn’t recognizing or targeting the virus effectively, the wart can linger.
What to Do About a Stubborn Plantar Wart?
If you’ve had no luck with home remedies, it’s time to get professional help. A podiatrist can confirm that it’s truly a plantar wart and recommend effective treatments tailored to you.
Treatment options may include:
- Freezing (Cryotherapy): The doctor will use liquid nitrogen to target the wart at its root.
- Topical acids or immunotherapy: Stronger than drugstore versions, these prescription treatments may help destroy wart tissue or stimulate your immune system to fight back.
- Beetle Juice (Cantharidin): With Beetle Juice treatment, the podiatrist will trim the plantar wart, and the medication is applied, and the area is covered for a few hours. The Cantharidin creates a small blister that helps the wart peel off naturally.
- Swift Plantar Wart Therapy: Uses microwave energy to stimulate the body’s immune response and clear the wart from the inside out.
- Laser treatment: Targets and destroys the blood vessels feeding the wart.
- Surgical techniques: In rare cases, when alternative options did not work, a podiatric surgery may be recommended to remove the wart.
Schedule a Consultation Today
When you've exhausted all home remedies, but the stubborn wart just won’t go away, you may need to consult a professional. At Central Massachusetts Podiatry, our experienced team of podiatrists can give you the right diagnosis and determine the best procedure to finally get rid of it. Visit our Worcester or Westborough clinic today or schedule an appointment now.
