Plantar Wart Home Remedy: 7 Treatments

Plantar warts may go away on their own or with home remedies and over-the-counter products, such as salicylic acid.

Plantar warts occur from a viral infection in your skin called the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus can enter damaged skin more easily, such as cuts, scrapes, or severely dry skin. Plantar warts are common on the soles of the feet.

These types of warts can be painful, and the resulting raised bumps uncomfortable. Plantar warts may also have tiny black spots that some people call “wart seeds.” These spots are actually blood vessels. While not necessarily harmful, plantar warts can grow and eventually make it uncomfortable to stand and walk.

It’s often possible to treat plantar warts at home, but it’s also important to know when you should see a doctor for medical treatment.

While plantar warts aren’t typically dangerous, you might want to get them removed due to discomfort and aesthetic reasons. Warts can get larger over time or spread to other areas. Most wart removal treatments will take several weeks, if not longer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Duct tape

Some people claim you can get rid of plantar warts by using duct tape.

The evidence to support this method is mixed, according to experts. But even if it doesn’t help, using duct tape probably won’t cause harm. To try it, stick a small piece of tape over the wart, and then change the tape every few days.

The idea behind duct tape for warts is that it could help “peel away” the layers of the wart. In theory, the wart could eventually peel completely away. But it’s not known if duct tape really works this way.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a type of beta hydroxy acid often used in acne treatment. It works by removing dead skin cells, which can sometimes clog your pores.

Higher concentrations of salicylic acid can be found in over-the-counter (OTC) wart creams treatments. These products shed the skin around the wart little by little, until it’s eventually cleared up completely.

To get the most out of this treatment, you’ll need to apply the salicylic acid product on your plantar warts according to the instructions on the packaging, and continue the treatment for as long as directed.

Some products may advise you to to prep the skin by soaking the affected area in warm water before applying the acid.

It can take several weeks of treatment for the warts to completely go away.

OTC freezing sprays

Aside from salicylic acid, you can also buy “freezing sprays” at the drugstore for plantar warts. The spray works by creating a small blister-like injury that may help destroy the wart. This is different from the cryotherapy wart treatments that are available at a doctor’s office.

To use freezing spray, carefully follow the instructions on the packaging. You might have to repeat the process several times to kill the wart. Check the instructions to see if it’s safe to do so. If OTC treatment doesn’t get rid of the wart, talk with your doctor about other treatment options.

Iodine

Iodine is an essential mineral that’s most often associated with thyroid health. But certain formulations can be used for other purposes too — this may include wart removal.

One small study found that a povidone-iodine topical solution helped clear up warts after twice-daily applications over the course of 12 weeks.

Researchers are conducting clinical trials to test povidone-iodine’s safety and effectiveness for wart treatment. In the meantime, you should only use povidone-iodine for warts under a doctor’s supervision.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has historically been used as a topical antiseptic. It’s primarily used for fungal infections, wounds, and acne.

One case report from 2008 found that tea tree oil successfully removed warts on a person’s hand when applied once daily for 12 days. While this single report is promising, much more research is needed before experts can recommend this approach.

Tea tree oil can cause irritation or contact dermatitis for some people. If you use topical products containing tea tree oil, stop using them if you notice a rash or other symptoms.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar continues to be studied for a wide range of health claims. It contains a type of acid called acetic acid. Some older reports suggest that concentrated acetic acid can be used to treat warts. However, these treatments took place in a clinic with careful medical management.

The amount of acetic acid found in apple cider vingar is much less than the acetic acid preparations used in these studies. There’s also no evidence to suggest that apple cider vinegar is safe or effective for treating warts.

Because undiluted apple cider vinegar can cause chemical burns, you should not apply it to your skin. All in all, this wart “remedy” is likely one to avoid.

Calluses are caused by repeated friction against the skin. These are most common on your hands and feet. With a callus, you may notice a flat area of thickened skin.

Calluses aren’t the same thing as plantar warts. However, sometimes the two look alike. It’s also possible to have plantar warts inside of a callus.

In some cases, you may be able to tell the difference by looking at the lines on your skin. With warts, you may see interrupted skin lines (your skin lines do not continue on the wart). With a callus, the skin lines are not interrupted.

Calluses can go away on their own when friction against the skin has stopped, such as when changing tight shoes for a better-fitting pair. The outer skin of the callus may also be cut off or filed away.

While plantar warts are caused by the HPV virus, there are other risk factors to consider. You might be at an increased risk of getting plantar warts if you:

• have a history of plantar warts
• are a child or a teenager
• have a weakened immune system
• frequently walk barefoot, especially in germ-prone areas like locker rooms

With the right precautions, plantar warts can often be prevented, even if you’re at a higher risk of developing them:

• Avoid touching warts, including your own.
• Wash your hands before and after touching a wart.
• Don’t pick at a plantar wart with your fingers.
• Avoid using the files and pumice stones you used on affected areas of skin for nonaffected areas.
• Don’t walk barefoot in public areas.
• Keep your feet clean and dry.
• Change your socks and shoes frequently.

Plantar warts that don’t go away or keep coming back despite home treatments should be looked at by a doctor. They can treat the warts in the office with cryotherapy or other treatments. They might also recommend prescription medications to help treat the wart.

For chronic plantar warts, your doctor may refer you to a foot specialist.

If you have any of the following conditions, see your doctor before starting a home wart treatment:

• diabetes
• a weakened immune system
• HIV or AIDS
• solid brown or black warts (these could be cancerous)
• plantar warts that change in color and size
• severe discomfort due to the warts
• changes in your gait

Plantar warts tend to go away eventually, and you may be able to treat them at home.

When in doubt, always ask a doctor for advice, especially if the plantar warts worsen or affect your daily mobility.

Plantar Wart Home Remedy: 7 Treatments

Plantar warts may go away on their own or with home remedies and over-the-counter products, such as salicylic acid.

Plantar warts occur from a viral infection in your skin called the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus can enter damaged skin more easily, such as cuts, scrapes, or severely dry skin. Plantar warts are common on the soles of the feet.

These types of warts can be painful, and the resulting raised bumps uncomfortable. Plantar warts may also have tiny black spots that some people call “wart seeds.” These spots are actually blood vessels. While not necessarily harmful, plantar warts can grow and eventually make it uncomfortable to stand and walk.

It’s often possible to treat plantar warts at home, but it’s also important to know when you should see a doctor for medical treatment.

While plantar warts aren’t typically dangerous, you might want to get them removed due to discomfort and aesthetic reasons. Warts can get larger over time or spread to other areas. Most wart removal treatments will take several weeks, if not longer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Duct tape

Some people claim you can get rid of plantar warts by using duct tape.

The evidence to support this method is mixed, according to experts. But even if it doesn’t help, using duct tape probably won’t cause harm. To try it, stick a small piece of tape over the wart, and then change the tape every few days.

The idea behind duct tape for warts is that it could help “peel away” the layers of the wart. In theory, the wart could eventually peel completely away. But it’s not known if duct tape really works this way.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a type of beta hydroxy acid often used in acne treatment. It works by removing dead skin cells, which can sometimes clog your pores.

Higher concentrations of salicylic acid can be found in over-the-counter (OTC) wart creams treatments. These products shed the skin around the wart little by little, until it’s eventually cleared up completely.

To get the most out of this treatment, you’ll need to apply the salicylic acid product on your plantar warts according to the instructions on the packaging, and continue the treatment for as long as directed.

Some products may advise you to to prep the skin by soaking the affected area in warm water before applying the acid.

It can take several weeks of treatment for the warts to completely go away.

OTC freezing sprays

Aside from salicylic acid, you can also buy “freezing sprays” at the drugstore for plantar warts. The spray works by creating a small blister-like injury that may help destroy the wart. This is different from the cryotherapy wart treatments that are available at a doctor’s office.

To use freezing spray, carefully follow the instructions on the packaging. You might have to repeat the process several times to kill the wart. Check the instructions to see if it’s safe to do so. If OTC treatment doesn’t get rid of the wart, talk with your doctor about other treatment options.

Iodine

Iodine is an essential mineral that’s most often associated with thyroid health. But certain formulations can be used for other purposes too — this may include wart removal.

One small study found that a povidone-iodine topical solution helped clear up warts after twice-daily applications over the course of 12 weeks.

Researchers are conducting clinical trials to test povidone-iodine’s safety and effectiveness for wart treatment. In the meantime, you should only use povidone-iodine for warts under a doctor’s supervision.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has historically been used as a topical antiseptic. It’s primarily used for fungal infections, wounds, and acne.

One case report from 2008 found that tea tree oil successfully removed warts on a person’s hand when applied once daily for 12 days. While this single report is promising, much more research is needed before experts can recommend this approach.

Tea tree oil can cause irritation or contact dermatitis for some people. If you use topical products containing tea tree oil, stop using them if you notice a rash or other symptoms.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar continues to be studied for a wide range of health claims. It contains a type of acid called acetic acid. Some older reports suggest that concentrated acetic acid can be used to treat warts. However, these treatments took place in a clinic with careful medical management.

The amount of acetic acid found in apple cider vingar is much less than the acetic acid preparations used in these studies. There’s also no evidence to suggest that apple cider vinegar is safe or effective for treating warts.

Because undiluted apple cider vinegar can cause chemical burns, you should not apply it to your skin. All in all, this wart “remedy” is likely one to avoid.

Calluses are caused by repeated friction against the skin. These are most common on your hands and feet. With a callus, you may notice a flat area of thickened skin.

Calluses aren’t the same thing as plantar warts. However, sometimes the two look alike. It’s also possible to have plantar warts inside of a callus.

In some cases, you may be able to tell the difference by looking at the lines on your skin. With warts, you may see interrupted skin lines (your skin lines do not continue on the wart). With a callus, the skin lines are not interrupted.

Calluses can go away on their own when friction against the skin has stopped, such as when changing tight shoes for a better-fitting pair. The outer skin of the callus may also be cut off or filed away.

While plantar warts are caused by the HPV virus, there are other risk factors to consider. You might be at an increased risk of getting plantar warts if you:

• have a history of plantar warts
• are a child or a teenager
• have a weakened immune system
• frequently walk barefoot, especially in germ-prone areas like locker rooms

With the right precautions, plantar warts can often be prevented, even if you’re at a higher risk of developing them:

• Avoid touching warts, including your own.
• Wash your hands before and after touching a wart.
• Don’t pick at a plantar wart with your fingers.
• Avoid using the files and pumice stones you used on affected areas of skin for nonaffected areas.
• Don’t walk barefoot in public areas.
• Keep your feet clean and dry.
• Change your socks and shoes frequently.

Plantar warts that don’t go away or keep coming back despite home treatments should be looked at by a doctor. They can treat the warts in the office with cryotherapy or other treatments. They might also recommend prescription medications to help treat the wart.

For chronic plantar warts, your doctor may refer you to a foot specialist.

If you have any of the following conditions, see your doctor before starting a home wart treatment:

• diabetes
• a weakened immune system
• HIV or AIDS
• solid brown or black warts (these could be cancerous)
• plantar warts that change in color and size
• severe discomfort due to the warts
• changes in your gait

Plantar warts tend to go away eventually, and you may be able to treat them at home.

When in doubt, always ask a doctor for advice, especially if the plantar warts worsen or affect your daily mobility.

How to get rid of plantar warts?

What are warts?

Warts are benign neoplasms of the skin caused by the human papillomavirus, this virus penetrates the skin and mucous membranes. The most common manifestation of HPV infection in humans is the manifestation of plantar warts. More than 150 HPV subtypes are known in the world, some of them can be localized in certain areas of the body. HPV type 1 can mainly affect the feet and soles, which is manifested by the appearance of plantar warts.

How do warts appear?

HPV, which causes warts, is usually contracted through direct contact with infected skin or through contaminated objects. Such violations of the protective function of the skin: cuts, abrasions, burrs, various kinds of dermatitis, can contribute to the development of the disease. Symptomatically, warts appear through neoplasms on the skin, which cause discomfort and pain, both at rest and during walking, which greatly interferes with the life of a modern person.

How to get rid of plantar warts?

The most effective method of treatment is to remove warts that have already shown themselves. Chemical destruction with salicylic acid preparations or removal with liquid nitrogen can be used. These methods are the most proven, affordable and effective, but other removal methods are also acceptable:

Laser burning. With the help of a medical laser, the resulting build-up is removed in layers, it is possible to use local anesthesia. The method least injures the body, does not cause cosmetic defects in the area with the wart.

Electrocoagulation. Due to the impact of high-frequency current on the skin area, the roots of the wart are burned out, but after the wound has healed, scarring and scarring are acceptable.

Surgical removal. Surgical removal of warts is used when the growth roots are deep. Radio wave surgery uses high frequency radio waves (3.8 – 4.0 MHz.), which completely get rid of the wart.

In the treatment of plantar warts, the cryodestruction method has proven itself well. Carrying out this procedure over a diseased area of ​​the skin is extremely effective, due to the extremely low temperature of nitrogen, any organic formations will be destroyed. Cryodestruction has no contraindications, it does not require injections of anesthetics that can cause dangerous allergic reactions. You can read more about the removal of plantar warts using cryodestruction in our article on cryodestruction.

The use of destruction with chemicals (salicylic acid), the use of cryodestruction are the first methods for the removal of simple and plantar warts. Unfortunately, plantar warts can be resistant to the chosen treatment, requiring a repeat procedure in the future. It is worth remembering that even the complete removal of warts does not lead to a cure for the HPV that causes them, so relapse is possible.

What are the advantages of these types of plantar wart removal?

Chemical Destruction is a painless, bloodless removal method with minimal side effects.

Cryodestruction is a method that does not require anesthesia, preliminary preparation and the procedure itself takes several minutes. By using cryosurgery, you choose a bloodless method of plantar wart removal, with minimal side effects, and quick healing allows you to quickly return to a comfortable daily life.

Radio wave removal – this method of surgical treatment allows you to completely get rid of the neoplasm in one procedure. Minimal skin trauma, provides better wound healing.

Ways to prevent the spread and spread of plantar warts:

● Use only personal shoes and leather goods.

● Use changeable shoes when visiting swimming pools, shared showers, changing rooms, baths.

● Use individual hygiene products when processing, cleaning, trimming nails and feet.

● Take care of the skin of hands and feet, avoid excess skin moisture, damage, dryness and cracking.

Warts on the feet why they occur and how to treat

Warts on the feet are common. Approximately 30% of patients come to the dermatologist with this problem.

And only a few know what to do with these growths.

These warts look like a round skin nodule that rises slightly above the skin. But sometimes they look different. We will talk about varieties later.

Most foot warts appear on the heel. Less often in other parts. While we are walking, our weight presses on the soles and then the neoplasms do not grow outward, but inside the leg. From above, they are protected by a dense and hard layer of skin.

Are warts on the feet dangerous?

These growths are not comparable to cancerous growths and usually do not threaten health. Disappear even without treatment.

Of course, they don’t disappear in a day or a week. In most cases, warts stay on the feet for at least 14 days, and only then the immune system eliminates the cause of their appearance.

Unfortunately, sometimes you can’t do without the help of a doctor. Make an appointment with a dermatologist if:

• The growths hurt, bleed or change
• New warts appear
• Neoplasms interfere with daily life
• Immunity is weakened due to drugs or diseases

In such situations, the growths rarely disappear on their own, and medical or surgical treatment is necessary.

Why?

To answer, it is important to understand how neoplasms arise.

Causes of foot warts

Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV. Scientists know over 100 types of this virus.

It has different effects on a person. Most types are harmless – in the worst case scenario, they will grow warts.

But there are also dangerous types of HPV. In rare cases, they provoke the development of cancer of the genital organs.

Causes of warts on the feet – HPV types 1, 2, 4, 27 and 57. The virus enters through the skin. Usually through small cuts, scrapes and other damage.

Under the influence of the virus, skin cells mutate and turn into neoplasms.

This does not happen in one day. The HPV incubation period can last up to six months, and even then it affects the skin in different ways. Depends on immunity. In some family members, after infection, warts will grow quickly, while in others they will never appear.

Fortunately, plantar growths are not very contagious, but at the same time they remain a threat even without direct contact. The virus survives in warm and humid environments. That is, on the floor next to the pool or in the common locker rooms. So in these rooms, doctors recommend wearing slippers or other shoes.

Plantar warts are especially common in people:

• Children and adolescents
• Weak immune system
• HPV reinfected

They also appear due to:

• Wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes
• Using someone else’s socks or pantyhose
• Heavy sweating on the feet

External signs of infection are not always the same – several varieties are known.

What warts on the feet look like

Not all growths on the soles are identical. Therefore, sometimes patients confuse warts with other growths and this interferes with effective treatment.

Fortunately, signs of viral foot warts are easy to remember:

• Small hard growths, usually at the base of the toes or on the heel
• Dark spots on the skin – blood-filled superficial vessels
• Rough hardened skin around a prominent spot from which a wart grows deep into the leg

Other symptoms are also characteristic of these formations. For example, they cause pain and irritation when walking, which often changes the gait. This is how the body fights against the discomfort of warts. Sometimes patients themselves do not notice these changes.

These growths are recommended to be removed.

Why you need to get rid of warts

Up to 90% of neoplasms on the soles do not affect health and life. There were just a few bumps. And after a couple of months they disappeared. Sometimes people do not have time to visit a doctor, and the warts are already disappearing, without medication and therapy. And no problems with discomfort.

Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky.

The remaining 10% of growths can make life extremely difficult – sometimes they cause severe pain when walking and limit mobility.

How to get rid of a wart on the foot ?

The first step is an examination by a dermatologist. The doctor makes the diagnosis easily.

Treatment is prescribed if education:

• Constantly growing
• Causes other neoplasms
• Hurts a lot
• Prevents normal walking

Patients usually like to fight warts with drugs and avoid surgery.

Ask your dermatologist about topical remedies for plantar growths. There are many such medicines. They gradually destroy the cells of neoplasms. But there is no 100% guarantee.

Medical treatment of warts is very slow and sometimes takes months to remove. Worse yet, the neoplasms can come back.

Yes, this does not always happen, but such cases are not uncommon. Therefore, for the effective treatment of viral warts on the foot, we recommend using one of the surgical methods.

Therapy options are many.

How to eliminate warts on the foot and prevent their appearance

Let’s start with an attack on neoplasms.

Doctors remove warts on the foot with operations:

• Laser coagulation

The doctor burns the altered skin cells with a powerful beam of light and at the same time bakes neighboring vessels. The procedure is bloodless and painless. Sometimes it is impossible to remove all the growth in one session and you need to visit the doctor several times to completely clean the skin. Then the wound on the skin heals for at least a couple of weeks.

• Cryodestruction

Dermatologist freezes wart tissue with liquid nitrogen. The growth completely freezes. Gradually, the tissues die off, and only the wound remains – after two weeks it also disappears. This method has few complications. However, the procedure is prohibited for women during pregnancy and for people with diabetes.

• Surgical excision

The doctor uses local anesthesia and cuts out the wart with a scalpel. Together with the wart, it also removes a small layer of healthy skin – this ensures the complete elimination of the neoplasm. The wound remains. Stitches are placed on it, and after treatment there is always a scar. Due to cosmetic flaws, this method is not very popular.

• Immunotherapy

The doctor prescribes drugs to strengthen the immune system – they help the body overcome the virus and the growths on the skin disappear. Sometimes doctors give injections into the wart. Or treat it with a special cream.

• Electrocoagulation

The operation is similar to excision, but is performed not with a scalpel, but with a special device that generates high-frequency electric current. In fact, the growth is burned out with electricity. The wound remains. It crusts over and heals in just a few weeks.

Remember – warts are caused by the human papillomavirus and therefore they will continue to multiply until HPV is defeated.

Pay more attention to prevention.

To reduce the risk of infection:

• Avoid touching warts or be sure to wash your hands after touching them
• Do not walk barefoot near swimming pools or in locker rooms
• Examine and wash the soles of your feet every day
• Do not scratch growths
• Do not use the same pumice for healthy skin and for warts
• Treat scratches and other damage promptly
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Wear comfortable, loose shoes

These simple tips will help protect your body from frequent exposure to HPV. Occasionally, the virus will still sneak in, but in such situations, you need to rely on immunity. As you remember, in most cases, growths do not appear. And if they grow, they do not cause discomfort. It is extremely difficult to find a healthy person who regularly suffers from painful and uncomfortable growths on the feet.

Unfortunately, sometimes treatment is indispensable.

Therefore, it is useful to read about the nearest clinics and find out the cost of removing plantar warts.

The price of treatment of neoplasms on the foot

It is difficult to immediately answer how much the removal of warts costs.

The cost of the operation depends on many factors:

• Type of procedure
• Place of execution
• Neoplasm size
• Physician experience
• Complications

These are just general points. Sometimes, in addition to paying for the operation, you need to buy a remedy for warts on the foot.

Much depends on the choice of clinic. Some people choose to have their growths removed at beauty salons because of the low cost, but this is not always beneficial.

Remember that if the build-up is not completely removed, an additional procedure will be required. It is much easier to immediately remove the wart, albeit at a higher price, than to run to the beautician every day.

Looking for a reliable medical center?

We recommend visiting the LaserSweet Clinic.

Our doctors remove warts on the foot with a laser at an affordable price and in a short time.

Advantages of operation:

• Fast

Doctors remove a small neoplasm in just two minutes, and sometimes even faster. Larger formations take more time. Sometimes up to 10 minutes.

• Safety

The beam of light not only destroys the wart, but also disinfects the wound.

• Pain free

Local anesthesia is given prior to removal.