Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Verruca plantaris are benign growths that grow under the soles of the feet. The warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that enters the body through cuts or abrasions on the soles of the feet and infects the surrounding skin. Unlike warts that appear to be new to other parts of the body, soles of the feet are usually flat, callus on top and quite painful. Like all types of warts, verrucas are contagious and are common in people with weakened immune systems as well as people who often walk barefoot in public bathrooms and changing rooms. The process of getting rid of verrucas may not be easy, especially if you are interested in home remedies, but there are many effective methods available.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Using home remedies

1. 

   
   
   Use a pumice stone. Painful verrucas are mainly caused by the supernatant (thick layer of skin), so removing the callus with abrasive material can treat this symptom. You can use a pumice stone as a natural material to remove dead skin, but keep in mind that this won't treat warts, most of which are under the skin. Before using a pumice stone to exfoliate, soak your feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes to soften the callus.
   • People with diabetes or peripheral neuritis should not use a pumice stone because they have impaired senses and are in danger of damaging the surrounding tissue.
   • Most verrucas are not dangerous and may not require treatment, especially if they are not painful - in many cases the warts will go away on their own.

2. 

   
   
   Apply a salicylic acid preparation. Another way to get rid of the bottle above the wart is to apply an over-the-counter salicylic acid preparation available from pharmacies. Salicylic acid is a keratolytic that dissolves the keratin (protein) of calluses and warts; however, keratinol also destroys or irritates healthy skin, so be careful when using salicylic acid solutions, gels, or ointments. Before using this preparation (up to 2 times a day), soak your feet and use a pumice stone or nail file to file the bottle for better absorption. It may take weeks to get rid of verrucas with salicylic acid, so be patient.
   • Salicylic acid products sometimes contain dichloroacetic acid (or trichloroacetic acid).
   • Plantar warts usually appear on the heels or the front soles of the feet, where the pressure is most stressed.
   • A common feature of verrucas is that the small black tips (often called the wart kernels) are actually blood clots in the small blood vessels around the wart.

3. 

   
   
   Use apple cider vinegar. Many people believe that apple cider vinegar has many health benefits, and one of them is effective against all types of warts. In apple cider vinegar, there is a high content of acetic acid, which has antiviral properties (kills HPV and other viruses). However, acetic acid is also irritating to healthy tissues, so be careful when applying it to your skin. Try dipping a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and applying it to the wart, then cover with a bandage overnight and change to another patch the next day. It may take a few days for a noticeable improvement.
   • White vinegar also contains acetic acid, but it doesn't seem to be as effective against warts as apple cider vinegar does.
   • Other natural compounds with antiviral properties that you can try at home include: tea tree oil, oregano oil, and fresh garlic.

4. 

   Cover the wart with a cloth tape. Many believe that a bandage therapy to cover the wart (for about a week) is an effective treatment, although how it works is a mystery. However, it's worth a try thanks to its low cost, ease of implementation, and risk-free use. Disinfect the soles of your feet with rubbing alcohol and stick a cloth tape over the wart. Let it sit for 24 hours before changing to a new tape and continue this process for 2-6 weeks. The adhesive tape method can be used in combination with natural antiviral agents mentioned above.
   • There is no evidence or scientific research to prove the efficacy of using tape to treat warts.
   • Some people say that non-ventilating tapes like electrical tape work as well as fabric tape.
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Part 2 of 3: Experimenting with alternative therapies

1. 

   Improve immune system. Plantar warts are a symptom of a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and it indicates that your immune system is not strong enough to fight off the virus (though only temporarily). Therefore, strengthening the immune system is a sensible and effective treatment for getting rid of warts naturally. See a dietitian, naturopath and a traditional medicine doctor or chiropractor for advice on boosting your immune system. Sleeping more (or improving the quality of sleep), eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, eating less refined sugars (especially soft drinks), reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking and maintaining good hygiene are all Proven solutions are effective in supporting the immune response.
   • Supplements that can boost the immune system include vitamins C and D, zinc, olive leaf extract, and chamomile.

2. 

   Consider homeopathic therapy. Homeopathic therapy is a treatment for many symptoms and diseases of all ages using very small amounts of plant compounds, acting on the basis of variation.You can make an appointment to see a homeopathic doctor or buy an over-the-counter homeopathic medicine in pill or ointment form at a health food store.
   • Common compounds recommended to treat verrucas include thuja occidentalis pills, podophyllin ointment, natrum muriaticum, and nitricum acidum pills.

3. 

   Smoking to treat warts. Although it may sound strange, a Chinese indigenous remedy, the "smoke box" to burn the leaves of Populus euphratica has been shown to be as effective as conventional medical treatments, such as cold pressure. Populous euphratica tree is a species of ocean tree, present in many places, especially in China and the Middle East. Populous euphratica leaves, when burned, produce smoke that contains antiviral compounds (salicylates).
   • Find or buy Populus euphratica leaves, and dry and burn them in a controlled environment. Let the leaves burn for a few minutes and cover to turn off the fire due to lack of oxygen. Carefully hold your feet about 15 cm from the smoldering leaves and let the smoke smoke on the soles of your feet where the wart is located for at least 15 minutes.
   • Be careful not to burn or blister the foot. Make sure the fire is off and don't get your feet too close to the embers.
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Part 3 of 3: Finding Medical Care

1. 

   Consider using cryotherapy. Cryotherapy (performed by your family doctor, dermatologist, or podiatrist) destroys the wart by freezing with liquid nitrogen that is sprayed directly or applied with a cotton ball. Liquid nitrogen causes the wart to blister, turn black and fall off after a few days. It may take several cold treatments to get rid of the wart, and this is not usually used in young children because it is painful. Your doctor may need to numb the area of ​​the wart before using liquid nitrogen.
   • If done correctly, cryotherapy will leave no scars. Healthy skin grows and fills in the gaps left behind by destroyed warts.
   • Never dab liquid nitrogen on your skin at home - this can be done only under a doctor's supervision. However, you can find over-the-counter “frozen” compounds that are more suitable for home use.

2. 

   Consider using a stronger peel. Prescription drugs containing salicylic acid are more effective than over-the-counter products because they are available in higher concentrations. Your doctor will apply the medicine to the wart for the first time in the clinic, and then may have you take it home several times to gradually remove the wart. Studies have shown salicylic acid to be more effective when used in combination with cryotherapy.
   • Prescription salicylic acid products are much stronger than over-the-counter ones, so be careful not to over-apply on the skin around the wart, as it can cause redness and irritation.

3. 

   Ask your doctor about topical medications. A very popular topical preparation for verrucas is cantharidine, a compound extracted from a variety of beetles. Cantharidin is a natural compound - a blistering poison that is used to burn toads. This drug is often used in combination with a salicylic acid compound. Your doctor will apply a mixture of liquid cantharidine and salicylic acid to the wart and cover it for about a week. The blister will form and eventually come off, although you may still need to use more therapy to completely get rid of the wart.
   • Cantharidin can be fatal when swallowed and is not normally given to patients at home.
   • A blister or skin injury caused by cantharidin will heal and leave no scars.

4. 

   Try laser therapy. With the advancement of new techniques, doctors can use a variety of lasers to destroy warts. For example, laser staining laser therapy burns and destroys the tiny blood vessels that surround and feed the wart, causing the wart to die and eventually come off. Some lasers can also burn the wart directly, although a local anesthetic is still needed.
   • The cost of laser therapy is often expensive, although evidence of the effectiveness of the wart treatment is limited and unclear.
   • Laser therapy can cause pain and scarring on the foot.

5. 

   Talk to your doctor about surgical options. If home remedies, alternative therapies, and other medical therapies are unsuccessful, ask your doctor about surgical removal of warts. Removing warts is considered minor surgery. The doctor will use a scalpel to remove the wart or destroy the wart with an electrical or ultrasonic device (called an electric drying or curettage). The drying process destroys the wart tissue and then the dead tissue is scraped with a small metal scraper. This procedure will be painful, so you will be under local anesthesia first.
   • Surgery to remove warts always leaves behind scars and it is not uncommon for them to recur.
   • Cutting the tissues around the wart sometimes causes the wart to spread to other areas of the foot, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
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Advice

• To prevent warts, never wear someone else's shoes or boots.
• Risk factors for warts include: frequent damage to the skin of the feet, use of public bathrooms, and a weak immune system due to illness or medication.
• The warts can be contagious, so avoid direct contact with the warts in other people or other parts of your body.
• Verrucas occur at any age, but are most common in children 12-16 years old.
• Protect the soles of your feet from injury and wash your hands often.
• Consider taking high doses of vitamin A (30,000 IU per day) for a month or 5 weeks.
• Do not rely on the skin around the wart, as this will only worsen the condition when you use the cream or other products.

Warning

• Don't take lumps or changes in the skin of the feet lightly, as some may not be as benign, such as warts. Seek the advice of a healthcare professional if you are concerned.