In high school, I developed a very, very painful plantar wart on the "ball" of my left foot. Being a self desribed "Picker", I made the situation worse resulting in having to have multiple nitrogen treatments. I have no recollection of how it all started, just that it your standard looking plantar wart.

Approx. 4-5 days ago, I started having pain on the sole of my foot, but there was no "mark". I figured maybe I'd stepped on something and lascerated it to an extent and it was just sore. Still no markings and only a quarter size red area, the pain is getting worse and worse. There does not appear to be a specific spot that hurts more then another, and there is still no spot or mark. Could this actually be the start of a Plantar Wart?

You did mentioned that there is a quarter size area of redness and is painful. If you can recall either a small cut, prick or a break in the skin, you might be dealing with an infection. Plantars warts don't usually get infected UNLESS there is some sort of manipulation such as picking. Besides you are right in saying that warts usually present as "black dots". Did you notice any firm area where the redness is? If the redness is increasing or if you see reddish streaks away from the area where there is redness, see a health care provider and you may require antibiotic treatment.

As much as I'd like for it to be an easy answer, I just have no idea what it is. My kids are constantly leaving me Capt'n Crunch and Kix to step on, but other then the occasional crunch of cereal or a cracker in the carpet, I have no recollection of anything that could break the skin, or that I would have noticed.

The pain has now spread up about an inch and into the bottom on my little toe, further leading me to believe it's not a wart. *sigh*

Leave it to a holiday wknd to need a Dr's visit.. ;P Thanks for the help!

It does not sound like a wart per your description. If your pain or redness gets worse do not wait since if it is an infection, the sooner it is treated the better. You can try soaking it is warm water and elevating it and it must be HIGHER than your heart to be effective for easing the pain. Hope you feel better soon.