Plantar warts are warts caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). They are small lesions that appear on the sole of the foot and are typically cauliflower-like in appearance. They may have small black specks within them that ooze blood when the surface is shaved; these are abnormal capillaries. Though plantar wart refers specifically to HPV infection on the sole of the foot, infection by the virus is possible anywhere on the body and common especially on the palm of the hand, where the appearance of the wart is often exactly as described above for plantar warts. Due to pressure on the soles of the feet, a layer of hard skin forms over the wart. A plantar wart may or may not be painful. It can be spread in communal showers, around swimming pools, or by sharing shoes, etc.