Plantar warts appear as flattened bumps on the soles of your feet, which can make walking painful and uncomfortable. If you've got an ongoing issue with plantar warts or if your warts are very painful, see a dermatologist. You may need medical attention to clear up your warts or you may have a different type of skin condition that requires another kind of treatment, explains McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois. In many cases, though, you can try to treat plantar warts at home before seeking medical help.
Step 1
Dab a 40-percent salicylic acid solution directly onto your plantar wart, being careful to avoid the surrounding healthy skin. You can find salicylic acid, a type of chemical exfoliant that speeds up cellular turnover, in the acne aisle at most drugstores, or ask your dermatologist for a recommendation or prescription.
Step 2
Cut or tear a small piece of duct tape just large enough to cover your wart. Make sure the tape covers your wart completely and leave it on your foot for six days.
Step 3
Keep the area as dry as possible while you're treating it. If your duct tape becomes wet or damaged, replace it with a clean, dry piece.
Step 4
Remove the duct tape after six days and soak your foot in warm water. If you're worried about painful tape removal, peel off the duct tape in the tub or shower -- the water will soften it up so it's easier to detach.
Step 5
Use a pumice stone to gently rub the surface of your wart.
Step 6
Repeat the process, and be patient. Your wart may take up to two months to completely disappear.
Tips and Warnings
- If you don't like the idea of using salicylic acid, tea tree oil may be an effective substitute, according to Columbia University Health Services. Wash your hands thoroughly every time you come into contact with your plantar warts, since they can be spread through physical contact. To help prevent future plantar warts from appearing, wear thongs or shower shoes instead of going barefoot in public places, like gym showers or locker rooms. Since warts are passed by person-to-person transmission, you can get plantar warts by walking barefoot on a surface where a person who has the virus that causes warts has walked.
- If you have diabetes or circulatory system health issues, do not attempt to treat plantar warts at home, warns MayoClinic.com. Seek medical help to treat your plantar warts. If at any time the skin under the duct tape becomes red, itchy or otherwise irritated, remove the tape immediately and wait for your skin to completely heal before trying it again. If the problem persists, see a dermatologist.
Things You'll Need
- Salicylic acid
- Pumice stone
- Duct tape
