My Child Has Plantar Warts: Can You Help?

Plenty of problems are unique to kids, from growing pains to the heightened likelihood of catching the flu once it starts circulating at their school. As a parent, you try to stay informed about the specific risks your child faces.

That means you should be periodically checking the soles of their feet for plantar warts. While adults can get these warts, they’re more common in children. Kids might not know what’s causing the uncomfortable sensation that they always have a small rock in their shoe, so your regular foot checks go a long way toward identifying and handling the problem. 

If you do spot a plantar wart, we can help. At our North Central Texas Foot & Ankle offices in Roanoke and Decatur, Texas, Samantha Childers, DPM, and Ricky Childers, DPM, specialize in caring for children’s feet, and that includes getting rid of plantar warts. 

So, yes, if your child has plantar warts, we can absolutely help. We also want to aid you in spotting them, so let’s quickly go over that.

Identifying plantar warts

Look for skin irregularities on the weight-bearing parts of your child’s feet, like the balls of the feet. Plantar warts usually look like a callus — round, thick, and flat — but they can be differentiated by a black dot in the center. 

Your child can also help you identify plantar warts. Ask them if it hurts when they put pressure on that part of their foot or if they’ve been feeling like something is stuck in their shoe.  

If you think your child might have a plantar wart but you aren’t sure, visit our office. We can assess your child’s foot and determine what’s going on. 

What to do when your child has plantar warts

Because plantar warts develop where the skin is naturally thick, at-home wart treatments often don’t work. But don’t worry. We can help.

Here at North Central Texas Foot & Ankle, we don’t cut the wart out. This would be uncomfortable for your child and require time off their feet, away from activities they enjoy.

Instead, we usually use a peeling treatment. With options like cantharidin or prescription-strength salicylic acid, we can help them get rid of their uncomfortable, potentially embarrassing wart. 

Ultimately, a plantar wart isn’t anything to worry about. But if it’s bothering your child, we’re here to help you get rid of it. To start with a personalized wart-removal treatment program for your child, call or message one of our offices today to schedule an appointment.