Plantar wart natural history

Overview
Warts are generally harmless growths that often go away on their own within 2 years. They can be contagious, but transmission from person to person is uncommon. Warts may be unsightly or cause discomfort, especially on the feet. Warts may spread, develop into clusters or fuse to become a mosaic wart. Plantar warts can be painful making it difficult to walk and run. Over-aggressive treatment may lead to scarring. Others may be infected.

Possible Complications

 * Spread of warts
 * Return of warts that disappeared
 * Minor scar formation if the wart is removed
 * Formation of keloids after removal

If a wart is being treated professionally and does not seem to improve in a reasonable period of time, the growth should be excised and biopsied.