Plantar warts are warts that form on the sole of your foot. Like all warts, they grow in response to one of over 100 viruses that cause the top layer of your skin to thicken. Warts often fade on their own, but some spread or become painful. You can undergo surgery or cryogenic treatment to remove a plantar wart, or use a naturally occurring acid to dissolve them without resorting to extreme treatments.
Step 1
Apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly such as Vaseline to the healthy skin surrounding your plantar wart. This will protect it from the mild acid in the apple cider vinegar.
Step 2
Dip a cotton ball in about 1 cap full of apple cider vinegar. Allow all the vinegar to soak into the cotton.
Step 3
Set the cotton ball on the wart, then hold in place with a wrap of medical tape.
Step 4
Leave the ball in place all night. Remove in the morning while dressing for your day.
Step 5
Repeat daily until the wart is gone.
Tips and Warnings
- This treatment is a natural alternative to the salicylic acid treatments you can buy over the counter. Wear loose shoes and thick socks during the day so as not to irritate the wart or surrounding area as you walk. Remove your shoes and socks when done with the day.
Things You'll Need
- Apple cider vinegar
- Petroleum jelly
- Cotton balls
- Medical tape
References
- Mayo Clinic: Plantar Wart Facts
- "The Good Foot Book"; Copeland, et al.; 2005
