What Is This Bump on the Bottom of My Foot?

Feb 01, 2024

Nothing can knock you off your feet quicker than a lump or bump on your sole. Fortunately, the most common culprits aren’t life-threatening. Better yet? They respond to treatment. If you have a bump on your foot, here’s what could be to blame.

If there’s one part of the body that’s easy to ignore, it’s the soles of the feet. However, just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean that issues can’t arise.

You may not pay much attention to the soles of your feet, but the team at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle does. Our experts specialize in these types of problems and provide diagnosis and treatment options in Corona and Ontario, California.

For many people, the first time they take a peek at the bottoms of their feet, it’s because they notice pain or tenderness when they walk. Sometimes, it’s because they feel like there’s a pebble stuck in their shoe.

That’s when they discover a lump or bump. But what is it? Here are a few common causes.

Plantar warts

One of the most common growths on the bottom of the foot is due to the human papillomavirus (HPV). However, the more recognizable name for this problem is “plantar wart.”

These bumps often cause swelling and pain under the skin. It’s also common for this discomfort to worsen when you apply pressure to the area.

Plantar warts typically form at the base of the toes or on the ball or the heel of the foot. They often look like a small cluster of black pinpoints, or clotted vessels known as wart seeds.

Calluses

Another common bump on the bottom of the foot is from a callus. These areas of toughened skin form because of repeated pressure, such as:

  • Uneven weight distribution
  • Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly
  • Walking barefoot

See an expert if you have calluses and a condition affecting your extremities, like diabetes. These health issues can increase your chances of serious complications from seemingly minor foot problems.

Cysts or benign soft tissue tumors

If you have a fluid-filled bump on the bottom of your foot and no other symptoms, it’s likely a cyst.

Cysts can form anywhere on your body, including the soles of the feet. They’re usually noncancerous and go away on their own without treatment. 

However, cysts can become large or tender and discolored when infected. There’s also a rare type of soft tissue cancer, synovial sarcoma.

If you think you have a cyst, play it safe and have it checked by an expert on our team.

Bursitis

Did you know the foot contains 33 joints? That means it also has plenty of bursae to cause bursitis.

Bursae function as little cushions between bones and soft tissue near the joints in your body. When irritated, bursae can become swollen and inflamed — a condition known as bursitis. 

Common causes of bursitis on the bottoms of the feet include repetitive stress, foot deformities, and unsupportive footwear.

Plantar fibromas

Is the bump on the sole of your foot in your arch? It’s likely a plantar fibroma.

These growths form in the plantar fascia, the fibrous attachment connecting your heel to the ball of the foot and toes.

In many cases, plantar fibroma causes a firm bump right in the arch of the foot and forms for unknown reasons. However, if it causes pain, it’s often related to walking or footwear.

Dyshidrotic eczema

Finally, some bumps can develop from a skin condition known as dyshidrotic eczema. 

When this occurs, small fluid-filled blisters form on the feet. Additional symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema include: 

  • Itching
  • Pain
  • Skin cracking, flaking, and scaling

The exact cause of this condition isn’t known. However, our team can offer personalized management strategies and treatment to ease your symptoms.

When to see an expert for a bump on your foot

Generally speaking, it’s always best to contact a foot specialist for strange lumps or bumps on your foot. However, it’s even more crucial if the growth seems painful, swollen, deep, or increases in size.

It’s also important not to ignore changes in your feet if you have conditions like diabetes. As mentioned above, any foot problem can cause serious health complications without effective diabetic foot care strategies.

Do you have a bump on the sole of your foot? Contact Advanced Care Foot and Ankle to schedule an assessment with our skilled podiatrists in Corona or Ontario, California, today.