Plantar warts typically appear as hardened, rounded, and slightly raised areas on the skin. A common sign that helps distinguish them from calluses is the presence of small black dots within the lesion, which are tiny clotted blood vessels.
The way the pain feels can also help differentiate between the two conditions. Calluses usually hurt when pressure is applied directly from above, while plantar warts tend to hurt more when pressure is applied laterally, creating a sensation that seems to originate from deeper within the foot. Their location can also vary: calluses tend to appear in areas prone to friction, such as the heel or the edges of the toes, while plantar warts usually appear on specific spots on the sole of the foot or between the toes.
3. Treatment, Prevention, and Why a Correct Diagnosis Is Important
One of the most common mistakes is treating plantar warts as if they were calluses. Some people try to remove them with pumice stones, razor blades, or over-the-counter bandages, believing the lesion is simply hardened skin. However, these methods do not eliminate the virus and can even irritate the area or worsen the condition.
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