Calluses generally hurt if you press directly down on them, such as if you’re standing still.
Plantar warts sting more if you pinch them from the sides. This is because the pressure of walking pushes them inwards, making the pain deeper.
While calluses often occur in areas such as the heel or the ball of the foot because these areas have the most friction, plantar warts can occur anywhere on the sole where the virus entered the foot.
3. Treatment, prevention, and why proper diagnosis matter
The greatest risk of incorrectly identifying a wart is that a person might try to “file it away” like a piece of dead skin. While pumice stones or razors used on a wart can remove some of the skin cells on top of it, they won’t kill the virus. In fact, they can cause more pain or even spread the virus to more areas of the skin.
Proper treatment
NHS notes that because plantar warts are caused by a virus, it means the treatment of them focuses on removing the affected area in order to stop the virus from spreading. According to medical standards, some of the most common treatments of plantar warts include:
Salicylic acid – the application of a slow-acting peel on the wart.
Cryotherapy – the application of liquid nitrogen on the wart to freeze it.
Immune system stimulation – in some instances, doctors may apply a stronger acid to stimulate the immune system to fight the virus.
There are cases when the warts go away on their own, especially in young children, but this can take years. Seeking professional help will speed things up, particularly if the wart is painful or spreading. However, it is worth noting that if you’re a diabetic, have poor circulation, or a weak immune system, it is best to consult a professional first before using any home remedies.
Prevention is key
Preventing plantar warts is much easier than treating the problem once it appears. As we already discussed, the virus causing these warts thrives in warm, dump environments and enters the skin through tiny cracks on your foot. A few simple habits can go a long way when it comes to preventing the virus to enter your skin and cause further issues.
One of the most effective steps you can take is to keep your feet clean and dry. Make sure you wash your feet regularly, especially if you have just finished a workout session at the gym. Soap and water are your best friends if you want to avoid issues with plantar warts. After washing, make sure you dry your feet properly, and pay special attention to the area between your toes.
It’s also smart to wear flip-flops or sandals in public showers, locker rooms, and at the pool. These shared areas are the hotspot for the virus to spread, and having that extra layer of footwear can prove to be a crucial barrier between your feet and a contaminated floor.
It is also important that you don’t share personal items such as towels, socks, and shoes. The virus has the ability to spread through these items, and you might end up transferring the virus from one person to another unknowingly. Finally, if you do happen to spot a wart, you should avoid picking or scratching it. This will not only spread the virus to other parts of your skin, causing more warts to appear, but also goes against the prevention of foot infections. By following these tips, you’re going a long way in keeping your feet healthy.
Health experts, including the NHS, emphasize that despite both plantar warts and calluses have the appearance of hardened skin, they are two separate conditions. While calluses are simply just a physical response to pressure, plantar warts are viral growths.
Since one is a mechanical issue and the other one is an infection, plantar warts need medical or professional intervention, while calluses don’t require any special treatment.
Conclusion
While calluses and plantar wart may sound like “twin” siblings at first, there are many differences between the two. One is the body’s own protection against friction, while the other is a viral infection that’s not going away anytime soon and can even spread and cause pain. Knowing the difference between the two will allow you to give your feet the treatment it truly needs.
If you find a patch on your feet that’s not responding to basic filing and creams, and hurts when pinched or has small black spots on it, it’s not a bad idea to consult a healthcare professional quickly. The sooner you do, the smoother the road to healthy and pain-free feet will be.
*Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about a skin condition or foot pain, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
