Do I Have a Foot Corn or a Plantar Wart? How to Tell the Difference

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t’s not entirely uncommon for people to confuse corns and plantar warts. They’re both common foot ailments and can cause pain or discomfort (especially when walking). Of course, if you treat a wart like a corn or vice versa, you can end up with more serious consequences than you were expecting. Here, we’ll look at how to tell the difference between the two and when you may need a podiatrist in Austin, TX to take action.

Appearance

Foot corns and plantar warts can both present as raised bumps that are either yellow or brown. The main difference is that plantar warts have a rougher surface than corns and can appear in purple, gray, pink, or even flesh-toned.

Causes

Corns are usually the result of spending a lot of time on the feet (especially in ill-fitting shoes). Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus, which is usually contracted through cuts or other vulnerable parts of the skin.

Discomfort

You’ll undoubtedly feel pain or discomfort with both types of conditions, but a corn tends to be more localized. With plantar warts, you can end up feeling the pain across the foot.

Treatments

Both types of ailments can clear up on their own without any treatment whatsoever. If you need treatment for a corn, it could be as simple as switching shoes or purchasing a corn pad to cushion the area. With a plantar wart, though, the treatment options are usually more involved, and they can include anything from freezing the wart off to general immunotherapy to strengthen your healing capabilities.

Seeing a Podiatrist in Austin

While corns and plantar warts can both clear up on their own, it can take years before warts go away — if they go away. If you’ve tried over-the-counter treatments, like salicylic acids, you should know that these can only treat surface problems as opposed to the root cause. If you’re struggling with either corns or plantar warts in Austin, TX, it may be time to consult a professional. At Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA, you’ll get the services and care you need to get back on your feet.

Are Plantar Warts Painful?

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Plantar warts are growths that show up on the bottom of your feet. They’re caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and they occur thanks to skin-to-skin contact. These warts are usually not a cause for concern because they often clear up on their own and don’t cause much trouble for people. That said, there are some cases that end up being more problematic than others.

Do Plantar Warts Hurt?

Plantar warts in Austin, TX don’t usually hurt if you don’t touch them. The symptoms of plantar warts are often the same as a corn, which may be sensitive, but generally won’t hurt without some type of pressure. Plantar warts become more troublesome if they’re on a specific part of your foot, such as the ball or the foot that your foot strikes with every step.

Do All Warts Clear Up on Their Own?

No, in some cases, warts persist over time. In some cases, they clear up in a matter of days or weeks. In others, they can stick around for years. Children and people with compromised immune systems are often most susceptible to warts, which can delay healing times. If the plantar wart is an innocuous place and does not cause any other discomfort, some people may feel comfortable living with it for months on end.

Can a Podiatrist in Austin, TX Help?

Plantar warts may seem harmless, but there’s a chance for them to spread or to become infected. Even if you don’t have symptoms, you can easily give it to someone who will have a much worse reaction than you. In addition, prolonged plantar warts can impact your walking and even your gait over time (if you have them long enough).

If you have plantar warts, the right podiatrist in Austin can tell you more about what to do to eliminate them. Whether you need a prescription or a freezing procedure, some plantar warts simply won’t respond to standard treatments. To learn more about your options, especially if your home remedies have done little to curb the problem, contact the offices of Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA, with locations in Austin and Pflugerville, TX, to schedule an appointment.