From the Guidelines
Untreated plantar warts pose significant risks, including persistent pain, potential for mosaic warts, and increased risk of infection, emphasizing the need for timely treatment. The risks associated with untreated plantar warts are multifaceted, affecting not only the local area but also potentially leading to broader musculoskeletal issues due to altered gait patterns to avoid pain 1. Key complications include:
- Persistent and worsening pain, making daily activities like walking and standing uncomfortable
- Development of mosaic warts, where multiple warts cluster together
- Spread of the wart to other areas of the foot or body through autoinoculation
- Potential for deeper infection, especially if the wart grows inward beneath callused skin due to pressure from walking
- Secondary musculoskeletal problems in the feet, knees, hips, or back due to changes in gait
- Rare susceptibility to bacterial infection, particularly if the wart cracks or bleeds It's crucial to note that while most plantar warts will resolve on their own within 1-2 years, the process can be lengthy and uncomfortable, and individuals with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of more severe and resistant warts 1. Given these risks, treatment options such as salicylic acid products or cryotherapy should be considered to prevent these complications, as evidenced by studies showing the efficacy of these treatments, albeit with varying success rates for different types of warts 1.
From the Research
Risks of Untreated Plantar Warts
- Untreated plantar warts can spread and cause considerable discomfort 2
- More than 50% of warts resolve spontaneously within 2 years, but many can persist and cause problems if left untreated 2
- Plantar warts can cause severe physiological and psychological discomforts in patients and have a significant global financial burden 3
Potential Consequences of Not Treating Plantar Warts
- Spread of the virus to other parts of the body or to other people 4
- Increased risk of tissue damage from untreated warts 2
- Potential for warts to become more painful and difficult to treat over time 5
Importance of Treatment
- Treatment can help to minimize the spread of the virus and ease discomfort 4
- Various treatments are available, including topical treatments, cryotherapy, and other modalities 4, 2, 5, 3, 6
- Some treatments, such as topical antimitotic treatments, have been shown to be more effective than others in managing plantar warts 3, 6