Bunions can cause deformities in the feet.
Bunions and plantar warts are both conditions that affect the feet. However, there are significant differences between the two conditions. Bunions affect the bone growth, while plantar warts are a skin condition caused by a virus.
Symptoms
Plantar warts look like a clump of thickened skin or a callous on the balls of the feet. They are painful when pressure is applied through walking, touching or squeezing.
Bunions are bony protrusions on the side of the foot at the base of the big toe. They cause pain, inflammation, burning and numbness.
Causes
Plantar warts are caused by the human papilloma virus. They are spread through direct physical contact, and they occur most frequently in elderly persons, children and teens.
Bunions are genetic and are caused by a defective bone structure in certain foot types. The symptoms are often seen in women who wear high-heeled or toe-constricting shoes.
Treatment
Plantar warts often clear up without medical intervention, but cryotherapy, laser therapy and acid treatments can be used to speed up the process, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
The symptoms of bunions are treated by corticosteroid injections and anti-inflammatory medication. If the pain is not relieved, surgical treatment may be necessary.
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