Mosaic Warts: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and More
November 01,2022
Read on to find out more about mosaic warts. This article discusses the appearance and symptoms of mosaic warts, treatment options, causes, and more.
Mosaic warts are a cluster of plantar warts. Plantar warts are small, round bumps on the bottom of your feet. Plantar warts are firm to the touch and usually grow inward.
You may experience the following symptoms if you have plantar mosaic warts:
- clusters of round, hardened skin
- pain when walking
- black dots or “seeds” on the warts
- lighter skin color over the affected area
Mosaic warts typically grow inward due to the pressure of walking. You may notice a small, deep hole in your foot where the hardened skin was before.
It is important to note that plantar mosaic warts are not cancerous or precancerous.
Learn more about plantar warts.
HPV causes plantar mosaic warts. There are over 150 different types of HPV, but only some types cause warts. Sometimes, HPV can lie dormant for years before producing mosaic warts.
HPV infects the bottom layer of the skin first and works its way up to the surface. The skin begins to thicken as the virus instructs the skin cells to multiply.
Are mosaic warts contagious?
Yes, mosaic warts are contagious. You can develop warts by contracting HPV. If you touch a wart, you may develop warts. It is important to wash all surfaces the wart may have touched to prevent it from spreading.
You can also transmit warts from one area of your body to another. If you touch your wart and then touch another part of your body, you may spread warts there.
Most mosaic warts disappear on their own, but they can frequently reappear. If you decide to treat your plantar mosaic warts, consistency is the key to positive results. Many treatments need frequent reapplication.
Treatments for plantar mosaic warts may include:
- medicated solutions
- cryotherapy
- laser surgery
- curettage to scrape warts off
- medicated ointments
Salicylic solutions are available over the counter at your local pharmacy. You can apply these solutions daily after soaking the wart in warm water.
You should use a pumice stone first to file off the calloused layer of the wart. This process should not be painful, but it can be helpful. It allows the treatment to penetrate deeper into the plantar mosaic wart. Then, you can apply the salicylic solution.
Cryotherapy may be suitable for treating raised mosaic warts.
During cryotherapy, a doctor typically uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart off. It will take multiple sessions to get rid of your wart. People with conditions impacting circulation, such as diabetes or Raynaud’s disease, should refrain from cryotherapy.
You can use bandages to cover the exposed wart. This will prevent it from spreading and increase the effectiveness of the treatment. Monitor your skin for any signs of irritation.
Some people also recommend covering the wart with duct tape. However, current research is inconclusive about how effective duct tape is in treating warts.
It is important to stop the treatment and contact your doctor if you experience any irritation.
Learn more about treatments for warts.
Contact your doctor if your mosaic warts do not resolve after a few months of at-home treatment. If your wart grows deeply inward, it may be difficult to treat on your own.
If you have diabetes or Raynaud’s disease, ask your doctor for advice on how to treat the wart.
Your doctor or dermatologist may be able to diagnose your plantar mosaic wart by looking at your skin. If they need to confirm their diagnosis, they may request a biopsy.
During a biopsy, your doctor will remove a small piece of the wart for laboratory analysis. They will look at the sample under a microscope to confirm if you have a plantar mosaic wart.
You are more likely to develop mosaic warts on your feet if you:
- walk barefoot around a pool or communal shower
- have a weakened immune system
- have had mosaic warts in the past
These risk factors can increase your chances of HPV. Contact your doctor if you have concerns about the risks of HPV.
There are not many complications associated with mosaic warts. Some people may feel uncomfortable with recurring warts.
Other people may alter their walk to accommodate for any discomfort from plantar mosaic warts. This may lead to bone or muscle complications, including additional discomfort.
Contact your doctor if you have concerns about the complications of mosaic warts.
You can take steps to reduce the likelihood of developing plantar mosaic warts. These include:
- avoiding sharing socks, towels, or shoes
- wearing shoes in communal showers and around pools
- sanitizing workout equipment before and after use
- wearing well-ventilated shoes
- washing socks after wearing them
- drying shoes before wearing them
- keeping your feet dry
You can prevent the spread of mosaic warts by not scratching or touching them. If you touch the area, wash your hands immediately.
Mosaic plantar warts are warts that develop on the bottom of your feet. They are usually clusters of round calluses with small black dots. They may grow inward due to the pressure of walking.
HPV causes mosaic plantar warts through direct contact. If you have previously had mosaic warts, you are more likely to have them again.
A dermatologist may diagnose mosaic warts by looking at your skin. Treatments for mosaic warts include cryotherapy, salicylic acid application, curettage, and laser therapy.
Contact your doctor for advice if your mosaic warts persist after a few months, with or without treatment.