Ever feel a sharp pain with every step? Plantar warts, those pesky growths on your feet, can be a real pain (literally!). But fear not, fellow foot warriors! This guide will reveal the top 6 home remedies dermatologists recommend to banish those warts for good.
Why Tackle Plantar Warts?
Plantar warts can be more than just unsightly. Their rough texture can make walking uncomfortable, and pressure can cause sharp pain. This can make movement difficult and impede everything from exercise to everyday activities.
Many people do not realize that plantar warts are also potentially contagious. These warts are caused by a virus, which means they can spread from person to person or reinfect the same person repeatedly. These contagious little critters must be treated effectively to ensure this does not happen.
Your Home Foot-Care Arsenal: 6 Effective Treatments for Plantar Warts:
There are many ways to address plantar warts – but not all of them are effective. Finding a solution that works for you can be a process of eliminating options that do not. These six approaches are some of the most common, so here is what you need to know about each one:
- Salicylic Acid – Wart Dissolver. Salicylic acid is a common and safe ingredient in numerous skincare products. This gentle acid works by munching away at the skin, layer by layer. This can help to soften and destroy warts when applied directly by exfoliating the skin on the cellular level. Just be sure to clean the area the next day to clean away the dead skin cells before repeating the process.
- Freezing Sprays – The Home Cryotherapy Option. Many people seek out cryotherapy sprays to treat warts at home. These sprays – available over the counter in many stores – work like miniature versions of the technology doctors use in-office. They apply intense cold directly to the area, which can help remove the wart. Each product comes with specific instructions that should be followed exactly to prevent injury.
- Duct Tape – Friend or Foe? Another common treatment for plantar warts is duct tape. This treatment is not supported by as much research as many others, so caution is advised when using it. The primary use of duct tape in treating plantar warts is to protect the area.
- Pumice Power – Buffing Away Dead Skin. Pumice stone is not an effective treatment for warts on its own, but it is a great tool in your arsenal. By gently buffing away dead layers of skin with either pumice or a large emery board, you can ensure that other treatments penetrate deeper. Just be careful not to injure yourself by sloughing away too much skin at once!
- Apple Cider Vinegar – The Folk Remedy (Use with Caution!) Anecdotal evidence of the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar treatment has been shared in many places, both online and in person. This remedy is questionable at best, with very little empirical evidence to back it up. Be sure to understand the potential risks – such as impairing the effectiveness of other treatments – before using folk remedies like these.
- Vitamin C – A Potential Warrior? Again, there is not extensive research backing up the use of vitamin C for treating plantar warts. The vitamin is applied directly to warts to help soften and eliminate the tissue. The high level of acid in vitamin C may work similarly to salicylic acid, but there is not as much evidence to back this up.
Conquering Those Warts: Essential Tips for Home Treatment:
As you can see, there are many methods of treating plantar warts at home. Not all of them are equally effective, but each offers a slightly different approach that could be combined with others to create a more comprehensive approach to treatment.
If you are considering one or more of these remedies for your warts, remember that following instructions precisely is crucial. Additionally, these tips can help make your treatment more effective – and less dangerous to the skin that surrounds each treated area:
- Consistency is key – The most important thing to remember when treating any skin condition is consistency. This is certainly true for warts. There is no treatment that will eliminate warts instantly short of surgical intervention by a professional. Home remedies, medications, and other approaches must be done consistently, over days, weeks, or sometimes even months.
- Protect the innocent – skin, that is! Many of the treatments that are safe and effective for treating conditions like warts can be damaging to the surrounding skin. This is especially true of treatments containing strong acids. The best way to protect unblemished surrounding skin is to use a barrier. This may be a bandage or occlusive product such as petroleum jelly.
- Know when to call in the big guns. While home remedies can be both effective and safe, they are not always enough to combat stubborn warts. If you find that your warts are worsening or spreading – or just not responding to treatment – consider seeing a dermatologist. They can help you eliminate the problem for good.
Conclusion
Remember that consistency is key, regardless of which treatment approach you choose. Taking the time to treat the problem area each day – while also protecting the surrounding skin – is the best way to ensure your chosen treatment plan works. Early intervention is also important, as the earlier you treat your plantar warts, the more effective your treatment is likely to be, and the less likely you are to spread the virus that created the problem in the first place.
