Plantar Warts & Verrucae. Evidence-based treatment.

What Causes Plantar Warts?

Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters the skin through tiny breaks or abrasions on the feet. HPV thrives in warm, moist environments, which is why plantar warts are often picked up in communal areas such as:

• Public swimming pools
• Gym showers and change rooms
• Saunas and spas
• Shared footwear or socks

Plantar warts are contagious — the virus can spread both to other people and to other areas of your own feet. Early treatment is advised to prevent spreading.

What Do Plantar Warts Look and Feel Like?

Plantar warts can vary in appearance, but common signs include:

• A thickened, callused patch on the sole
• Small black dots (tiny clotted blood vessels beneath the surface)
• Pain or tenderness when walking or squeezing the lesion
• A “stone in the shoe” sensation

Because plantar warts are often mistaken for corns or callus, professional assessment is recommended before commencing any treatment.

Do Plantar Warts Go Away on Their Own?

In some cases, plantar warts may resolve without treatment — but many persist for months or even years. This is because HPV has the ability to evade the immune system, allowing the wart to remain hidden within the skin.

Early treatment is often advised, particularly if the wart is:

• Painful or spreading
• Long-standing
• Affecting sport, work or daily activity
• Present in children or immunocompromised patients

Treatment Options

At Sydney Podiatry Co, we offer a range of evidence-based plantar wart treatments. Your podiatrist will recommend the best option depending on the wart’s size, depth, location and how long it has been present.

Swift Microwave Therapy

Swift microwave therapy is one of the most effective modern treatments for stubborn plantar warts. It uses targeted microwave energy to heat the wart tissue, stimulating a strong immune response without damaging surrounding healthy skin.

• No cutting or open wound
• No dressings required
• Minimal downtime
• Excellent results for long-standing verrucae

Falknor’s Needling

For select cases, we also offer Falknor’s Needling, performed by some of our podiatrists with a special clinical interest in the management of persistent verrucae. Needling works by creating a controlled immune response within the lesion, helping the body recognise and clear the HPV virus. This option is often considered for deep or resistant plantar warts, warts that have failed other treatments, or patients wanting a definitive in-clinic approach.

Salicylic Acid Therapy

Salicylic acid is a well-established topical treatment that works by gradually breaking down wart tissue. At our clinic, this is applied professionally after careful debridement. Multiple treatments are usually required for the best results.

Silver Nitrate Treatment

Silver nitrate is a gentle chemical treatment option used to help destroy wart tissue over time. This is often suitable for smaller verrucae, is well tolerated by children and can be used as part of a combined treatment approach.

Plantar Warts in Children

Plantar warts are particularly common in children and teenagers due to their active lifestyles and regular use of communal areas like school pools and sports facilities. Our children’s podiatry team are experienced in treating younger patients in a calm, reassuring environment.

Swift microwave therapy is often an excellent option for children because it avoids cutting, open wounds and dressings — making the experience significantly less daunting than traditional wart treatments. Suitability is assessed at your child’s initial appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have a plantar wart or a corn?
Both can feel like a pebble under the foot, but there are key differences. Plantar warts often have small black dots (tiny blood vessels) and hurt when squeezed from the sides. Corns tend to hurt with direct downward pressure and don’t have black dots. A podiatrist can confirm the diagnosis during your assessment.

Are plantar warts contagious?
Yes. The HPV virus can spread to other people through direct contact or via contaminated surfaces, and can also spread to other areas of your own feet. Avoid walking barefoot in communal areas and do not share towels or footwear while you have an active wart.

Which plantar wart treatment is most effective?
This depends on the wart’s size, depth, duration and your individual immune response. Swift microwave therapy has strong clinical evidence for stubborn or long-standing verrucae. Your podiatrist will recommend the most appropriate approach after a thorough assessment.

How many treatments will I need?
Most Swift patients require three sessions spaced approximately four weeks apart, followed by a 12-week review. Other treatments such as salicylic acid may require more frequent visits. Your podiatrist will outline an expected treatment timeline at your first appointment.

Can plantar warts come back after treatment?
Yes, recurrence is possible with any wart treatment. Swift therapy aims to stimulate an immune response that helps the body clear the HPV virus, which reduces the likelihood of recurrence compared to purely destructive treatments. We also provide advice on reducing reinfection risk.

Health Fund Rebates

Plantar wart treatments delivered as part of a podiatry consultation are claimable through most private health funds with podiatry extras cover. We offer HICAPS on-the-spot claiming at our Balgowlah clinic — no paperwork, no out-of-pocket delays.