Light brown spot on bottom of foot

That strange-looking bump on the bottom of your foot could be what's known as a plantar wart. Plantar warts, caused by a virus, strike the soles of the feet, may occur alone or in bunches, and can be quite painful. If you think you have a plantar wart, make an appointment to see a podiatrist to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Plantar Warts: What Are They?

A plantar wart is a wart caused by a type of human papillomavirus, or HPV, which enters the body through tiny cracks in the skin on the bottom of the feet.

Plantar warts:

  • Are found on the sole of the foot
  • May contain tiny black dots
  • Are flat and firm to the touch
  • Are gray, brown, or yellowish in color (and may even look like a callus, a rough patch of dead skin)
  • May be extremely painful, especially when walking or applying pressure

A plantar wart "can take any shape but often resembles a cauliflower with black speckles throughout the lesion," says Timothy C. Ford, DPM, director of the podiatric residency program at Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare in Louisville, Ky.


Just one plantar wart may appear on your foot, but they can also pop up in bunches, known as mosaic warts. Most often, they are found on the ball or heel of the foot, but can occur anywhere on the sole of the foot.

Plantar Warts: Risk Factors

While anyone can get a plantar wart, young children and teenagers are particularly prone to them.

Light brown spot on bottom of foot

Plantar warts are "more common in children than adults as we build immunity with age," explains Dr. Ford. Public showers and baths, pools, and locker rooms are all common areas where you can come into contact with the virus that causes plantar warts, says Ford.

Other risk factors for plantar warts include:

  • Touching another person's wart
  • Walking barefoot in dirty areas
  • Walking barefoot in warm and damp areas

Plantar Warts: Diagnosis

Even if you're pretty sure that you have a plantar wart, it's best to go to a podiatrist for a diagnosis. In some cases, what you think might be a plantar wart is actually something more serious, like skin cancer. While this isn't very common, it's still better to check with a podiatrist to be sure.

If it is a plantar wart, you'll need a podiatrist to treat the condition anyway — you shouldn't try to take care of a plantar wart yourself. They are difficult to treat and may frequently come back. Often, plantar warts require surgical removal by a podiatrist.

"There are many ways to treat [plantar warts], from topical [medications] to surgical [procedures], depending on the symptoms and the length of time the wart has been present," says Ford.

If you suspect you have a plantar wart, make an appointment to see a podiatrist so that you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Also, remember to be careful not to allow anyone else to come into contact with your plantar wart, as they can be contagious.

Light brown spot on bottom of foot

Light brown spot on bottom of foot

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