Plantar warts are caused by an infection in your skin known as the human papillomavirus. This virus is more easily transmitted through damaged skin, such as wounds, scrapes, or dehydrated skin. Plantar warts frequently appear on the soles of the feet.
These warts can be painful, and the raised mounds that arise are unsightly. Plantar warts may also contain microscopic black patches known as “wart seeds” by some. These dark specks are blood vessels. Plantar warts, while not necessarily hazardous, can develop and eventually make standing and walking painful.
You may quickly treat plantar warts at home, but it’s also vital to understand when you should seek medical attention.
While plantar warts are usually not hazardous, you may choose to get them removed for pain and cosmetic reasons. Warts can grow in size and spread to other regions over time. Most wart removal therapies will take many weeks, if not months.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a form of beta hydroxy acid commonly used to treat acne. It eliminates dead skin cells, which might sometimes block your pores.
Over-the-counter (OTC) wart creams include higher doses of salicylic acid. These solutions gradually remove the skin around the wart until it is entirely removed.
To get the most out of this therapy, apply the salicylic acid product to your plantar warts as indicated on the package. You should continue the treatment for as long as suggested.
Some products may recommend prepping the skin by bathing the afflicted region in warm water before applying the acid. However, it may take many weeks of therapy to remove warts entirely.
OTC Antifreeze Sprays
Aside from salicylic acid, drugstores sell “cooling sprays” for plantar warts. The spray works by causing tiny blister-like damage that may aid in destroying the wart. This is not the same as the cryotherapy wart treatments available at a doctor’s office.
Follow the instructions on the container carefully before using a freezing spray. You may need to repeat the method numerous times to eliminate the wart. Check the instructions to verify if doing so is safe. If over-the-counter therapy fails to remove the wart, consult your doctor about different treatment choices.
Iodine
Iodine is a necessary mineral that is frequently related to thyroid health. However, specific formulations can also be used for other reasons, such as wart removal.
Research indicates that using a povidone-iodine topical solution twice daily for 12 weeks helped clean up warts. Researchers are undertaking clinical trials to determine the safety and efficacy of povidone-iodine for wart therapy. In the meanwhile, only use povidone-iodine for warts under the supervision of a specialist.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Historically, tea tree oil has been utilised as a topical antiseptic. However, it is mainly used to treat fungal infections, wounds, and acne.
According to one case study, using tea tree oil once daily for 12 days successfully eliminated warts on a person’s hand. While this one paper is encouraging, much more research is required before experts can advocate this strategy.
For some people, tea tree oil might cause irritation or contact dermatitis. If you use tea tree oil topical applications, discontinue usage immediately if you develop a rash or other symptoms.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is still being researched for a variety of health benefits. It includes acetic acid, a form of acid. According to some earlier reports, concentrated acetic acid can treat warts. These therapies, however, took place in a facility under strict medical supervision.
The acetic acid content in apple cider vinegar is substantially lower than in the acetic acid preparations utilised in these research. There is also no proof that apple cider vinegar is safe or effective in treating warts.
You should not apply undiluted apple cider vinegar on your skin since it might cause chemical burns. Overall, this wart “remedy” should be avoided.