Understanding Lumps on the Bottom of Feet: Causes & When to Seek Care

Understanding Lumps on the Bottom of Your Feet

Finding a strange lump on the bottom of your foot can be alarming. However, there are many common causes of lumps on the soles of feet that are typically harmless. By understanding the various types of lumps and what causes them, you can determine when medical attention is needed.

What Causes Lumps on the Bottom of Feet?

There are several potential causes of lumps on the bottom of the feet, including:

• Plantar warts
• Calluses
• Corns
• Ganglion cysts
• Plantar fibromas
• Metatarsal pads
• Fat pad atrophy

The most common causes of lumps on the soles of the feet are benign conditions that may be bothersome but typically do not require medical treatment. However, some causes can indicate an underlying condition that needs evaluation.

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are a very common cause of lumps on the bottom of the feet, especially in children and teenagers. Plantar warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) entering through small cracks and cuts in the skin of the feet. They develop small, fleshy bumps with a rough surface and tiny black dots.

Plantar warts grow deep into layers of the skin and can be painful with pressure from standing or walking. Over-the-counter wart removal treatments can help get rid of plantar warts. But resistant or very painful warts may need to be removed by a foot doctor.

Calluses

Calluses are thick, hardened areas of skin that form as a protective response to friction, pressure, or skin injury. Rubbing against footwear is a prime cause of calluses on the soles of feet. Calluses most often develop under the ball of the foot or heel.

Treatment isn't usually needed for calluses unless they become very thick and painful. Trimming off thick layers of dead skin with a pumice stone or callus remover can help reduce discomfort. Changing footwear or using cushioned inserts relieve pressure that causes calluses.

Corns

Corns resemble calluses with a small, concentrated area of thick, hardened skin. But corns have a sharp, pencil eraser-like core that presses on nerves below the skin surface, making them more painful than calluses. Common causes include pressure points from footwear, toe deformities, and high arched feet.

Over-the-counter corn cushions and removers can ease discomfort. Custom orthotic inserts and pads redistribute foot pressure points and prevent recurring corns. Severe corns may require periodic trimming or removal by a foot specialist or podiatrist.

When to See a Doctor About Lumps on Feet

See your doctor promptly if you have foot lumps with any of the following characteristics:

• Extreme pain or tenderness
• Bleeding not caused by trauma
• Color changes in the skin over the lump
• Growth or change in size/texture over weeks
• Pus drainage or other discharge
• Warmth or redness of the surrounding area
• Associated swelling in the foot or ankle
• Numbness or tingling in the foot or toes
• Difficulty bearing weight due to pain

These signs can indicate an underlying inflammatory, vascular or neurological condition needing medical diagnosis. Potential causes of suspicious foot lumps include:

Ganglion Cysts

Ganglion cysts are benign lumps filled with thick fluid that grow near joints, tendons or muscle sheaths. They commonly develop along the top or sides of feet but also occur on soles near joints. Ganglion cysts range from pea to golf ball-size and have firm, rubbery texture.

Though usually painless, ganglion cysts can create discomfort with pressure inside shoes or cause joint stiffness. Aspiration or surgical removal are treatment options. Ankles swelling or joint inflammation along with the cyst indicates a doctor visit.

Plantar Fibromas

Rare, noncancerous tumors called plantar fibromas can grow in the arch or heel region. Plantar fibromas develop firm nodules deep under the skin as fascicles of fibrous tissue enlarge. They may feel deep, spongy and fixed in place when pressing along the edges.

Most people tolerate plantar fibromas well without pain. But some large fibromas cause arch discomfort aggravated by standing and exercise. Custom orthotics can help reduce pressure. Surgery removes symptomatic fibromas.

Metatarsal Pad

Enlargement of the ball of the foot is often a shoe fit issue rather than a true lump or mass. As the metatarsal pads supporting the toes enlarge with use, pressure against rigid footwear creates calluses and pain.

Deep massaging metatarsal pad calluses, correcting shoe sizing issues, and upgrading to flexible, comfortable athletic shoes allows symptoms to resolve.

Fat Pad Atrophy

The normal fat pad cushioning the heel can waste away due to aging, certain diseases, steroid medication use, repetitive stress or trauma. Loss of the protective heel fat pad causes a painful under heel lump felt with weight bearing.

Orthotic heel cups and pads provide external padding until weight normalizes fat pad thickness. Anti-inflammatory medication, footwear modification and physical therapy also help manage symptoms.

When is a Foot Lump Serious?

In rare cases, a lump or bump on the sole of the foot indicates a more serious problem needing prompt specialist evaluation, like:

Neuromas

Abnormal, benign nerve tissue growths called neuromas cause painful nodules between toes or in the ball of foot region. Chronic nerve compression or irritation is often due to restrictive shoes, high heels, injury, or repetitive stress from certain athletic activities.

Custom orthotic inserts and toe spacers alleviate neuroma pain. Steroid injections, alcohol ablation and surgical removal are more aggressive treatment options for resistant neuroma bumps.

Gout

Gout arises from excess uric acid buildup forming needle-like crystal deposits in joints. The joint at the base of the big toe is often the initial gout site. Intense, red, hot swelling erupts suddenly with excruciating pain.

A podiatrist assesses for gout based on symptoms, lab uric acid testing and joint fluid analysis if needed. Prescription anti-inflammatories, steroid injections, ice therapy and rest manage gout flares. Preventive medication lowers uric acid.

Vascular Malformation

Congenital blood vessel or lymph vessel malformations can slowly expand into bulging, soft fluid-filled lumps on feet. Though typically painless, vascular malformations may ache, bleed spontaneously or compromise circulation.

Diagnostic imaging studies check lesion extent for surgical resection if causing symptoms. Compression socks, elevation and pain relievers ease discomfort of problematic vascular malformations.

Finding an unusual lump on the plantar aspect of your foot can be startling initially. Understanding common lump causes helps determine appropriate self-care to relieve related discomfort in many cases. But prompt investigation of enlarging nodules or those with worrisome features is crucial for proper treatment of an underlying disorder.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.