Plantar warts are grainy growths on the bottom of the foot. They are non-cancerous and sit in the top layer of the skin. Plantar warts are most commonly caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Plantar warts have a blood supply and often times you can see small black dots, which are little blood vessels, inside a thicker callused area. They tend to be painful when squeezed.
If you think you have a plantar wart you should see your Podiatrist. They can help confirm the diagnosis of a plantar wart. Plantar warts can be contagious and often times get larger when left untreated. Do NOT try to cut or pick at the wart on your own. Home remedies such as wart pads generally don't work because the wart is deeper than the pad can penetrate. Be sure to spray your bathtubs and shoes down with Lysol and change your socks daily. Letting a wart go untreated can cause them to get bigger and spread to other areas. See your Podiatrist!