The plantar wart (verruca plantaris) is a skin growth on the sole caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV). Walking pressure makes it grow inward like a thorn, and it can sting with every step. Typical are small dark dots, tiny capillaries, under the callus layer.
The virus is picked up wherever many people walk barefoot: pools, saunas, changing rooms. Warts can persist for months, multiply, or heal spontaneously. They become stubborn when pressure and a moist environment keep feeding them.
Bathing shoes in barefoot zones, keep feet dry, do not scratch the wart open (risk of spreading), use your own towels. Over-the-counter remedies demand patience and discipline, and with diabetes they do not belong in self-treatment.
If the wart hurts, spreads, or you are unsure whether it is a corn instead. Modern methods are available in the practice, including Swift® microwave therapy, which deliberately triggers the immune response against the virus. We advise you on what makes sense in your case.
Plantar warts do not grow outward but inward: walking pressure presses them into the sole like a thorn. That is why they hurt when you walk, while warts on the hands usually grow painlessly.
Why does the wart keep coming back?
Concerns about your feet, skin or nails?
We take a precise look: discreet, by appointment, between Kreuzplatz and Kunsthaus. We usually reply within one working day.