What Are Plantar Warts?

Plantar warts are noncancerous growths that develop on the soles of the feet as a result of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV enters the body through tiny breaks in the skin, which are often present beneath pressure points, either on the heels or balls of the feet. These warts appear on the skin as a small, hard bump that may be gray or brown with well-defined boundaries. Because of their location, some patients that have them may experience pain or tenderness while walking.