Plantar Warts / Verruca Pedis

Plantar warts are skin growths caused by human papillomavirus, or HPV. On the sole, pressure can push them inward beneath a layer of hard skin. They can resemble corns or calluses, but their treatment is different.

What you may notice

• A rough patch on the sole
• Small dark dots within the lesion
• Tenderness with walking or pressure

How we assess it

We examine the skin to confirm whether the lesion is a wart and consider its size, location and effect on walking. Unusual or changing lesions may need further investigation.

Treatment and next steps

Some warts settle without treatment. Painful or persistent warts may be treated with an appropriate topical product or an in-clinic procedure after assessment. Several visits may be needed, and recurrence is possible. Avoid picking the area or sharing files, and cover it for swimming. Not every wart needs an invasive treatment.

Wart or corn: why assessment matters

A painful patch on the sole is not always a wart. Pressure-related thickening and other skin changes can look similar. Read Corn or Plantar Wart? before choosing a product or procedure.

Does a wart always need removal?

No. The decision considers discomfort, persistence, location and your preferences. Ask about the likely course without treatment, the care required afterwards and the possibility of recurrence. A procedure is not automatically the best starting point for every lesion.

Can I book without knowing what it is?

Yes—book an assessment, not a self-diagnosis. Bring the names of any products used and explain whether they helped or irritated the skin. Our help choosing foot care page explains the next step when you are unsure.