Plantar warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) having access to your body through tiny cuts or abrasions that often occur on the soles of your feet, according to the Mayo Clinic. While plantar warts aren't necessarily a cause for concern, these common infections can become bothersome. They can also be bothersome to treat, though some simple home remedies are worth a try before using more powerful methods from your doctor.
Duct Tape
Applying duct tape over the area of the wart is simple, effective and relatively painless. While it's not clear why this works, duct tape is an inexpensive remedy. The Mayo Clinic suggests placing duct tape over the plantar wart for six days and then soaking the affected area and using a pumice stone to remove any dead skin. If the wart is still present, continue using the duct tape for another six days. It may take a few weeks, but for the cost of a few pieces of duct tape, it's effective and budget-friendly. The Mayo Clinic notes that this remedy is particularly useful for children for whom more intensive methods may be frightening.
Salicylic Acid
Besides being useful for skin care on your face, salicylic acid is useful at removing plantar warts. Use an over-the-counter solution that contains at least 40 percent salicylic acid. The Mayo Clinic suggests applying the solution twice a day and carefully avoiding irritating the surrounding healthy skin. Remove the skin that's sloughing off with a pumice stone until the wart disappears, which can several weeks, depending on the wart's size and depth.
Household Items
Several common household items are also useful for treating warts. In particular, tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar are both touted as remedies worth trying at home. And if you combine the treatment with duct tape, you can often see results quickly. Simply soak a cotton ball in either the tea tree oil or vinegar and apply it to the wart area. You can then cover the cotton ball with duct tape to hold it in place for the day. If you use this remedy, you may get results more quickly, but there's also a higher potential that you'll irritate the healthy skin around the wart. If the area is becoming irritated, continue applying the vinegar or oil, but discontinue adhering it to your foot with duct tape. It will be slower, but you minimize the potential for discomfort while removing the wart.
