Plantar Wart Removal: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Plantar Wart Removal?
A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin problems, can treat plantar warts. Plantar warts develop on the bottom of the feet. Some warts may be treated at home with a wart treatment that you can buy online or in a store. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
A wart is a common, non-cancerous skin growth caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Removal is a treatment plan that may include one or more treatments. Warts can be cured.
Why a doctor might recommend it
As a plantar wart grows, walking can become painful, because each step pushes the wart inward. It can take a few months to years for a wart to disappear. Treatment can help clear warts more quickly.
You should see a board-certified dermatologist if you have any of the following.
- A wart that is changing, hurts, itches, burns, or bleeds.
- Many warts.
- Tried at-home treatment and cannot get rid of the wart.
- A weakened immune system, for example from cancer, HIV, or an organ transplant.
- Diabetes.
How to prepare
Common steps include the following.
- Wart treatments you can buy without a prescription often contain salicylic acid.
- You usually apply salicylic acid once a day after softening the wart.
- To soften a wart, you bathe or soak it in warm water.
- Your dermatologist chooses a treatment based on your health, your age, the type of wart you have, and other considerations.
What happens during it
Cryosurgery means freezing the wart. Your dermatologist freezes the wart with a very cold substance, which causes the wart to scab up and fall off. Most patients need more than one cryosurgery treatment.
To treat plantar warts, a dermatologist may use a medicine that contains cantharidin, podophyllotoxin, and salicylic acid. Cantharidin is a medicine that your dermatologist paints on the wart. It causes a blister to form around and under the wart.
Electrosurgery (burning) and curettage (scraping) destroy the wart. Your dermatologist burns and scrapes the wart as needed.
If other treatments have not worked, your dermatologist may recommend laser therapy, an in-office procedure. A laser can effectively treat stubborn warts and may clear them quickly.
Recovery
After cryosurgery, you may see crusting or a blister on the treated skin, and this is expected. The treated area usually heals within 4 to 7 days. After electrosurgery, the treated area will be sore, discolored, and swollen. You may have some bleeding. After laser therapy, you will likely have some discoloration, swelling, and discomfort. The treated area may feel sore for up to 2 weeks. After cantharidin, you need to keep the treated area clean and dry.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, fainting, coughing up or vomiting blood, or bleeding that will not stop.
Risks and side effects
Salicylic acid can cause irritated skin and stinging where you apply it. Cryosurgery can lighten, darken, or scar the treated skin. With cantharidin, pain and blistering are expected. Laser therapy can cause bleeding, temporarily discolored skin, or a burning sensation.
Who performs it
Board-certified dermatologists can treat a wart in the office, usually with a few treatment sessions.
Common questions
Do plantar warts go away on their own?
Often, as most warts in general go away on their own if you have a healthy immune system. It can take a few months to years for a wart to disappear. If your immune system is weakened, your body may not get rid of warts.
Are plantar warts contagious?
Yes, warts are contagious. If you have a wart, you can spread the virus that causes it to other people and to other parts of your body.
Can I treat a plantar wart at home?
You may be able to treat a wart at home with a wart treatment that you can buy online or in a store. See a board-certified dermatologist if you have tried at-home treatment and cannot get rid of the wart.
How many freezing treatments will I need?
Most patients need more than one cryosurgery treatment. Treatment may be repeated every 2 to 4 weeks.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology - Warts: Diagnosis and treatment
- American Academy of Dermatology - Warts: FAQs
- MedlinePlus - Warts
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
