If you have a growth on the sole of your foot, you likely have a plantar wart. They are non-cancerous and result from exposure to HPV, or human papillomavirus. The wart is likely to have a rough and grainy feel to it and you may notice several bumps inside of it. Since you will constantly put pressure on the wart, it is likely to be painful or tender during walking. If the wart persists or you suffer from a circulatory disease, make an appointment to see your doctor.
Step 1
Cover the wart on the sole of your foot with duct tape. According to the Mayo Clinic, this unconventional home treatment can be effective for removing warts from the feet because it likely irritates the skin around the wart.
Step 2
Leave the duct tape in place for six days. Each day, remove the tape and place the affected foot in a basin of warm water and allow it to soak for at least 10 to15 minutes to soften the skin.
Step 3
Pare down the wart on the foot with a pumice stone. An emery board can be used if a pumice stone is not available. Remove the loose skin at the top of the wart.
Step 4
Apply an over-the-counter salicylic acid-based solution. The solution should contain at least 40 percent salicylic acid to be effective at removing the wart. The solution should only be applied to the wart because it can damage surrounding skin.
Step 5
Wrap the foot in more duct tape. After the salicylic acid has dried, cover the area again. Remove the duct tape each morning and re-apply the salicylic acid solution. Repeat the process until the wart has been completely removed.
Tips and Warnings
- There are also at-home freezing kits that allow you to remove plantar warts. However, the solution is not as effective as cryotherapy performed by a physician.
Things You'll Need
- Duct tape
- Topical salicylic acid--40 percent
- Pumice stone
