A plantar wart, also known as a verruca, is a viral infection that occurs on the sole of the foot. Unlike warts elsewhere on the body that grow outward as raised bumps, plantar warts grow inward due to the constant pressure of standing and walking. This means they often appear flat on the surface while developing a bulb-like structure deeper within the skin.

Because of this inward growth, plantar warts can be more difficult to treat. Treatments that work well for outward-growing warts on the hands or other parts of the body, such as cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) or salicylic acid, often have lower success rates on the sole of the foot. This is because the wart is not easily accessible on the surface, making it harder for these treatments to reach the infected tissue effectively.

So how does a plantar wart develop in the first place?

The condition is caused by a virus that is spread through contact with infected skin cells. This typically occurs in high-risk environments where people walk barefoot, such as swimming pools, gym changing rooms, and water parks. An infected skin cell from another person can be shed onto the floor, and if you walk over that area within a short time frame, the virus may transfer to your foot.

However, the virus cannot easily penetrate healthy skin. The outermost layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum, acts as a protective barrier. This layer is structured like tightly packed scales, similar to fish scales, forming a strong defence against external invasion.

When the feet are dry, this barrier remains tightly closed and highly protective. But when the skin becomes wet or sweaty for prolonged periods, the structure of this layer changes. The “scales” begin to separate slightly, creating microscopic gaps. This makes the skin more porous and vulnerable to viral entry.

At the same time, an infected foot in a moist environment can shed virus-containing skin cells more easily. These infected cells can then be picked up by another person walking over the same surface, particularly in high-traffic, damp areas.

Once the virus enters the skin, it develops slowly. It can take several months, often up to six months or more, before a plantar wart becomes visible. During this time, the virus grows within the deeper layers of the skin before gradually appearing on the surface.

Plantar warts are sometimes confused with corns, but they are very different. A corn is a build-up of hard skin caused by pressure and friction. It can often be reduced without bleeding, although it may feel like walking on a sharp point. A plantar wart, however, is a living viral lesion. If disturbed or cut, it will bleed because it has developed its own blood supply within the skin.

One of the key identifying features of a plantar wart is the presence of small black dots within the lesion. These are not roots, but tiny blood vessels known as capillaries. The virus disrupts and constricts these vessels, causing them to appear dark. Their presence is a sign that the wart is active and established within the tissue.

This is where Dermojet® treatment is particularly effective. Because plantar warts grow deep within the skin, a treatment that can reach and disrupt the infected tissue at its core is essential. Dermojet® delivers a high-pressure microjet that penetrates beneath the surface, targeting the area where the virus is thriving and improving the likelihood of successful resolution.

 

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