Warts are skin infections caused by viruses of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) family. Warts can appear on any part of the body, and for the most part, are usually painless. However, warts affecting the soles of the feet (plantar warts), are usually painful, because of the pressure that is placed on the foot. Children (and adults too, for that matter) complain that they feel as though they are walking on a small stone.

Warts are contagious! While simply touching a wart once or twice doesn’t guarantee a spread to other parts of the body, picking or scratching at it makes it much easier for the virus to spread.

There are different ways to remove a wart from the foot:

1. Salicylic Acid over the counter (OTC) preparations or stronger prescription strength preparations.
2. Cryosurgery (freezing of the warts with use of liquid nitrogen).
3. Surgical excision (for very stubborn cases).

Most children respond well to OTC or stronger medications, and do not need cryosurgery or surgical excision.