Plantar warts are small, benign growths that appear on the bottom of your feet. Plantar warts are caused by the HPV virus, the same virus that can lead to cervical cancer in some women. Plantar warts are not cancerous and pose no threat to a person's health. The growths can become uncomfortable, however, especially if clusters of warts impede walking. Cryotherapy, or freezing warts off the feet, can be an effective treatment. Home remedies may also be able to treat plantar warts.
Step 1
Treat plantar warts with a salicylic acid preparation, available at pharmacies and mass merchandiser stores in either a topical solution or a wearable patch. Wart removers work by allowing the top layers of the skin, which contain the wart and the virus, to peel away from the foot. Apply the medication as directed on the packaging and cover with a bandage to keep the area clean.
Step 2
Slough away dead skin between doses of salicylic acid wart remedies. Use a pumice stone or emery board that is dedicated to warm removal only, to prevent the spread of infection. Wash the tools with antibacterial soap and water to avoid further contamination.
Step 3
Apply duct tape to the affected areas of your feet as a non-medicated way to treat plantar warts. As reported in the October 2002 issue of "Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine," this popular home remedy has been shown to eliminate more warts than the freezing procedure known as cryosurgery. Duct tape should be worn for six consecutive days to be effective.
Step 4
Remove the duct tape after six days and soak your feet in a basin of warm water. Submerse your feet until the skin has been softened significantly.
Step 5
File down the plantar wart with an emery board or pumice stone, taking care not to irritate the skin.
Step 6
Apply a fresh piece of duct tape after filing and keep the warts covered for six more days. The taping, soaking and filing cycle can be repeated for up to eight weeks, according to the "Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine" study.
Things You'll Need
- Salicylic acid wart medication
- Bandages
- Pumice stone
- Emery board
- Antibacterial soap
- Duct tape
- Basin
