Plantar Warts (Verrucae) in Children

Plantar warts are a common skin condition in children. They are caused by a viral infection (human papillomavirus, HPV) entering the skin through small breaks. While generally harmless, plantar warts can become painful, particularly when they occur on weight-bearing areas of the foot.

What do plantar warts look like?

Typical features include:

• a small, rough, raised spot on the foot

• pain when squeezed from the sides

• thickened skin over the lesion

• tiny dark dots within the wart (small clotted blood vessels)

• a single wart or a cluster of smaller warts

Because plantar warts grow inward under pressure, some children describe the sensation as “walking on a pebble”.

How do children get warts?

HPV most commonly spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact. Transmission may also occur via shared wet surfaces, particularly when there are small breaks in the skin, such as in:

• swimming pools

• change rooms or communal showers

• gymnastics or dance floors

Not all children exposed to HPV develop warts. Whether a wart forms depends on factors such as skin integrity and immune response.

Do plantar warts go away on their own?

In some children, plantar warts may resolve over time as the immune system recognises and clears the virus.
This process can take months to years, and during that time warts may remain unchanged, spread, or become painful. If a wart is not causing discomfort or limiting activity, monitoring may be appropriate.

Treatment options

The most suitable treatment depends on your child’s age, symptoms, activity level, and the wart’s location. Management aims to reduce discomfort, support immune clearance, and minimise disruption to daily activities.

1. Topical salicylic acid

• commonly used first-line treatment

• applied consistently over several weeks

• gradually softens and breaks down wart tissue

• requires patience and regular application

2. Gentle debridement

• involves carefully paring back hard skin over the wart

• may reduce pressure-related pain

• can make other treatments more comfortable and easier to apply

3. Silver nitrate (AgNO₃)

• an option for children who may not tolerate more aggressive treatments

• applied directly to the wart in clinic

• aims to chemically cauterise wart tissue

• often requires repeat applications

• generally well tolerated, though mild stinging can occur

4. Protective padding

• useful for reducing pain during walking or sport

• helps maintain comfort while treatment is underway

No single treatment works for every child, and combination or staged approaches are sometimes used.

What parents can do at home

• avoid picking at warts (this may reduce irritation and spread)

• keep feet clean and dry where possible

• wear thongs or sandals in communal showers or change rooms

• monitor for changes in size, number, or discomfort

• use cushioned insoles or pads to improve comfort if needed

When to seek help

A podiatry review is recommended if:

• the wart is painful or limiting activity

• lesions are spreading or increasing in number

• home treatments have not helped

• you’re unsure whether the lesion is a wart or another condition
  (such as a corn, callus, or foreign body)

Seek prompt medical review if there are signs of infection, rapid change in appearance, significant pain, or if your child is immunocompromised.

This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual assessment, diagnosis, or medical advice from a qualified health professional.

Sources:
The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne – Kids Health Info: Warts
NHS UK – Plantar warts (verrucae)
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews – Topical treatments for cutaneous warts
Australian Podiatry Association – Consumer health resources