These Warts on My Feet Hurt: Can You Help?

Foot warts are painful, persistent, and difficult to remove. Here’s why these warts hurt and what you can do about them.

Warts on your feet make walking painful. At Align Foot & Ankle Center in Camarillo, California, board-certified podiatrist Hai-En Peng, DPM, FACFAS, offers several effective treatments to eliminate these painful growths and get you walking comfortably again.

Here are the reasons why foot warts are so painful, how we treat them, and what you can do to prevent them.

Plantar warts grow inward and create intense pain

Unlike warts on other parts of your body, plantar warts develop on the pressure points of your feet. Every step pushes them deeper into your skin, causing sharp, stabbing pain when you walk or stand.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes these warts by entering through tiny cuts in your skin.

You’ll recognize a plantar wart by its rough surface and tiny black dots (small blood vessels). When you squeeze the sides, they can cause intense pain.

Why drugstore treatments don’t work on plantar warts

Many people try over-the-counter remedies before seeking help, but these rarely solve the problem.

Standard products simply can’t penetrate deep enough to kill the virus completely. They might remove surface tissue while leaving the core intact, allowing the wart to return within weeks — often larger and more painful than before.

Delaying professional treatment gives the virus time to spread or grow. Medical treatment from the start saves time, money, and unnecessary pain.

Dr. Peng offers specialized treatments for stubborn warts

At Align Foot & Ankle Center, Dr. Peng provides several effective wart removal options:

Prescription-strength salicylic acid penetrates deeper than drugstore options.
Canthacur, a strong topical agent, weakens the wart structure.
Cryotherapy freezes the wart with liquid nitrogen, destroying infected tissue quickly.

In rare cases where conservative treatments don’t work, minor surgical removal can offer immediate relief.

Dr. Peng examines your foot, assesses the wart’s size and location, and creates a personalized treatment plan. Our team might also take a small sample to ensure the growth isn’t something more serious.

People with these factors face higher wart risk

Several factors increase your chances of developing plantar warts:

Having a weakened immune system
Walking barefoot in public areas like locker rooms or saunas
Sharing shoes with others
Being a child or teenager

Don’t pick or scratch at any growth on your foot. This spreads the virus to other body parts and can create multiple warts where you only had one.

Prevent future warts with these simple habits

After Dr. Peng eliminates your warts, prevent their return by following these simple steps:

Wear flip-flops in public showers and pool areas
Dry your feet completely after bathing
Change your socks daily or more often if your feet sweat heavily
Cover any existing warts with waterproof bandages when swimming in public pools
Disinfect your shower regularly

A few minor changes in your daily habits can help keep plantar warts from returning.

Get wart treatment in Camarillo today

Stop feeling the pain with every step. At Align Foot & Ankle Center in Camarillo, California, Dr. Peng and our team provide effective wart removal treatments. Call the office today or schedule an appointment online.