How to Care for Your Plantar Warts

Are There Any Home Remedies or Over-the-Counter Remedies That Work?

Unfortunately, the truth is that there is fairly limited evidence (in controlled studies) to support the effectiveness of any particular home remedies. Although there are many people who swear by “DIY” techniques such as the “duct tape method,” apple cider vinegar, and others, any “proof” that they work is more likely to be a simple coincidence. (That is, the wart was probably going away on its own regardless.)

Wart removal kits you buy over the counter have slightly better success rates generally, although they still often fail to fully eradicate the wart. Our office provides wart removal kits that are stronger than the kind you can get over the counter, and these would make a better “first attempt” strategy.

That said, if you are healthy and your warts aren’t bothering you, it’s ultimately your choice whether you want to attempt any home remedies first. Check out last month’s blog post for more info on one relatively safe strategy you can try (the aforementioned duct tape method), as well as warnings about home “solutions” you should definitely avoid (hint: don’t cut yourself!)

So If Home Remedies Don’t Work, What SHOULD I Do to Care for My Wart?

The best strategy for caring for warts is typically a combination of professional treatment (to get rid of the warts) and home care (to prevent warts from spreading or returning).

• Book an appointment with Freeland Foot & Ankle Clinic. We have a variety of treatment options available, and can recommend an approach that is likely to give you good results while keeping any discomfort or inconvenience to a minimum.
• Avoid touching or picking at your warts. They can spread to your hands, or even from your hands to other parts of your body. If you must touch your warts, immediately wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
• Wash your feet daily. Good hygiene is critical.
• Change socks and shoes as often as necessary. This means at least once per day, but potentially more often if you sweat a lot. You should also let your shoes dry out for 24 hours before you wear them again—that means having at least two “daily” pairs that you can rotate between.
• Don’t go barefoot in high traffic areas. This especially includes surfaces that are warm, dark, and wet—locker rooms, pool decks, showers, playgrounds, etc.
• Don’t share clothes, linens, or tools that come into close contact with your warts. For example: socks, shoes, sandals, pumice stones, nail clippers, washcloths and towels that haven’t been washed, etc.