How To Get Rid Of Plantar Warts Naturally?

Ever got an outgrowth on the sole of your feet which is hard, grainy and fleshy? This is known as a plantar wart. There are many different types of warts but one that appears on the sole of your feet is known as a plantar wart.

Plantar warts can sometimes be painful and quite irritative. They can also be mistaken for a callous or corn. These warts have a grainy or seed-like structure as the blood veins grow into them. Sometimes, plantar warts grow in a cluster and are known as mosaic warts.

Usually, plantar warts fall off by themselves in a year or two. But they are bothering you, then you have several home remedies that can help you get rid of them.

This article will give you a complete guide to the causes, treatment, and prevention of plantar warts.

Causes Of Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are benign skin tumor. They are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus or HPV.  The virus enters through any cuts or weak spots on your feet. They are contagious. But not everyone gets it. Some people react to the virus in a different way so they don’t get it.

Some people are prone to get them.

• Children get it often as they are prone to cuts and scrapes on the feet.
• People with a weak immune system.
• People who have had plantar warts before tend to get them again.

There are several ways to recognize by following the symptoms given below to know if it is a plantar wart.

Symptoms Of Plantar Warts

• Grainy or seedy skin growth on the feet. Its appearance is due to blood clot.
• Localized pain in one area when putting pressure.
• Warty-growth or callous-like hardened skin growth. It can sometimes grow inwards.
• Pain while walking or standing.
• An abnormal growth that shows between the normal ridges or linings of the foot.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, it likely that you are having a plantar wart on your foot. If they are causing you pain or you don’t like the look of them then here are some of the home remedies that can help you in getting rid of them.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Plantar Warts Naturally

If it is not something serious you should always try home remedies first. Home remedies are natural and barely have any side effects. If you can get rid of them at home with the easily available remedies then that can save you money too.

Here are some home remedies that will help you.

1. Duct Tape

It is an unproven method but it works sometimes. Putting duct tape over the plantar wart can deprive it off air and sun exposure that can let it fall off.

What You Need:

• Duct tape
• Pumice stone/washcloth

What You Should Do:

• Cut the duct tape the size of your wart.
• Put it on top of your wart.
• It may take a few days or so but let it come off on its own.
• Then use the pumice stone or the washcloth to remove the dead tissue off the wart.
• Put the tape again.
• You might have to do this for eight weeks.

Alternatively, If You Want It To Heal Faster:

• You can use salicylic acid to clean the wart after the tape has fallen off.
• Make sure to clean the dead skin off properly.
• Make sure the wart is dry.
• Then put the duct tape again.

2. Salicylic Acid Ointment/ Gel

Salicylic acid works wonders for warts. When applied, it makes the wart skin white and easier to fall off.

What You Need:

• Salicylic acid
• Brush/pumice stone
• Warm water

What You Should Do:

• First, soak the area in warm water.
• Use the brush or the pumice stone to remove the dead wart skin.
• Brush around the wart too.
• This will make it easier for salicylic acid to enter in the wart too.
• Dry it completely.
• Apply the ointment/gel.
• It might take you minimum two weeks to notice any results.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is effective against warts due to its antiseptic and antiviral properties.

What You Need:

• Tea tree oil
• Duct tape
• Cotton

What You Should Do:

• Use the cotton to apply the oil on the wart.
• Cover the wart with duct tape for a few hours.
• Do this twice daily.

4. Turmeric

Turmeric is used for several skin problems and is as effective against warts. Its antiseptic nature can fight the infection and also heal the skin quicker.

What You Need:

• Turmeric powder
• Water

What You Should Do:

• Mix the water with turmeric powder to form a paste.
• Apply the paste on the wart.
• Keep it for 30 minutes then rinse it off with water.
• Do this thrice daily.

5. Nail Polish Remover

Putting nail polish remover can work in similar ways to the duct tape method. It restricts the air from the wart. This leads to the death of the affected skin cells.

What You Need:

• Nail polish remover
• Cotton swab
• Warm water

What You Should Do:

• Soak the area in warm water.
• Then dry it completely.
• Apply the nail polish remover.
• Keep it for several hours.
• Then wash it nicely.
• Repeat this 3-4 times a day.

6. Garlic

Garlic works like an acid but doesn’t burn. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties and can be an effective cure for plantar warts. Garlic application has known to remove warts in a week’s time.

What You Need:

• 1-2 garlic cloves
• Duct tape

What You Should Do:

• Cut garlic slices and place them on warts.
• Cover it with duct tape.

Alternatively:

• You can apply a few drops of garlic oil.
• Then cover it with duct tape.
• Do it twice daily.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar’s acidic nature attacks warts directly and peels it off. You might notice some soreness or some swelling around the skin but there is nothing to worry.

What You Need:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Duct tape
• Cotton

What You Should Do:

• Clean the wart thoroughly.
• Soak the cotton with ACV and place it on the wart.
• Cover it with duct tape.
• Do this daily.

8. Oregano Oil

The carvacrol present in the oregano oil is known to target the papillomavirus. It is effective because of its antiviral nature.

What You Need:

• Oregano oil
• Coconut or olive oil
• Duct tape

What You Should Do:

• Dilute oregano oil with coconut or olive oil.
• Apply it on the wart.
• You can apply duct tape for faster results.
• Do this 4-5 times a day.

9. Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon essential oil is antiseptic and can fight against the wart-causing virus.

Note – Use lemon essential oil only on the plantar wart as it can lead to skin irritation.

What You Need:

• Lemon essential oil
• If you don’t find lemon essential oil then soak lemon skin in olive or coconut oil.

What You Should Do:

• Apply a few drops of lemon essential oil on the wart directly.
• Apply 3-4 times a day.

10. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can prevent the growth of viruses and can heal the skin too.

What You Need:

• Virgin coconut oil

What You Should Do:

• Warm the oil.
• Apply the oil nicely on the wart.
• Also, apply it to the surrounding area.
• You can also put it on a brush and scrub it nicely.
• Apply it a few times a day.

11. Thyme Oil

Monoterpenes are abundant in thyme oil is known to fight viruses effectively. It is widely used to cure plantar warts.

What You Need:

• Thyme oil
• Band-aid/duct tape

What You Should Do:

• Clean the area properly and apply thyme oil.
• Put the band-aid / duct tape for a few hours.
• Remove it, then clean the area.
• Reapply the oil and the Band-aid.
• Do this 4-5 times a day.

12. Aspirin

Aspirin contains salicylic acid. This can break the dead skin cells and separate the plantar wart from the healthy skin.

What You Need:

• Aspirin tablets
• Water
• Band-aid

What You Should Do:

• Dissolve the aspirin tablets with water to form a paste.
• Apply it on the wart and cover with the band-aid.
• Remove the band-aid and clean the area.
• Reapply and cover it again.
• Do this every few hours in a day.

13. Warm Water Salt Soak

Warm water and salt can work wonders for the removing the wart. The sea salt/ Epsom salt has antiseptic properties and can fight viruses if used continuously.

What You Need:

• Warm water
• Epsom salt/sea salt
• Pumice stone/brush
• A bucket

What You Should Do:

• Pour the warm water in the bucket.
• Add Epsom salt/sea salt.
• Soak your feet for 20 minutes.
• Remove your feet and gently scrub the wart.
• Do this twice daily.

14. Black Salve

Black salve can stimulate our immune system against viruses. It also contains activated charcoal that has antiviral properties and fights effectively against warts.

What You Need:

• Black salve
• Gauze
• Duct tape

What You Should Do:

• Apply the salve on the wart.
• Put the gauze over it and put the tape to hold the gauze in place.
• Remove a day or two later.
• Clean it and repeat the application.
• Do this until the wart falls off.

15. Urine Therapy

Urine therapy is widely used and has worked wonders for wart removal.

What You Need:

• Fresh morning urine
• Cotton swab
• Duct tape

What You Should Do:

• Dip a cotton swab and apply it on the wart.
• Use duct tape to keep the cotton swab in place.
• Change daily.

16. Vitamins C

Vitamin C has ascorbic acid which is very effective against warts. Vitamin C also helps fight virus.

What You Need:

• Vitamin C tablets
• Lemon juice
• Band-aid

What You Should Do:

• rush the tablet into powder.
• Mix it with the lemon juice.
• Apply this paste on the wart.
• Cover it with the Band-aid.
• Apply daily.

Alternatively:

1. Vitamin E

You can use vitamin E capsule. Vitamin E prevents infection and make the wart fall off.

What You Need:

• Vitamin E capsule

What You Should Do:

• Extract the syrup from the capsule.
• Apply it directly to the wart.
• Do this thrice daily.

2. Vitamin A

Vitamin A stops the growth of HPV virus. It can also increase the response of our immune system to viruses.

What You Need:

• Vitamin A capsule

What You Should Do:

• Extract the oil from the capsule.
• Apply it on the wart directly.
• Leave it for a few hours.
• Do this 2-3 times daily.

Use any of the above methods because once warts start appearing they can spread really fast. To avoid this, you also need to take some precautionary measures.

How To Prevent Plantar Warts?

Plantar warts are caused by human papillomavirus. To avoid plantar warts, you need to avoid contracting this virus. You can’t avoid it completely but you can take a few precautionary measures that will make your chances of contracting it lesser.

1. Avoid touching warts on yourself or on other people.
2. Don’t share razors, shoes, towels with people.
3. Avoid walking naked feet in the locker room, public showers, and swimming pools. These viruses thrive in warm and moist areas. Wear chappals or sandals.
4. Keep your feet clean and dry.
5. Wash your feet every time you return home.
6. If your feet are sweaty then wash them. Change the pairs of sweaty socks and dry your shoes in the sun.
7. Don’t ignore any growths on the skin.
8. Take care if you have broken skin or cut on your feet. That is how you can contract the virus.

Warts are contagious. So, to avoid spreading them, you should also keep in mind –

1. After touching warts, wash your hands properly.
2. Don’t touch other people’s warts.
3. Avoid scratching or pulling them.
4. Cover your warts always.

FAQ’s On Plantar Warts

1. How Long Does It Take For A Plantar Wart To Go Away?

Warts can fall off even in two months times but if not then it can take up to six months. Sometimes, plantar warts can take a year or two too.

2. Can You Cut Off A Wart?

You should never cut off a wart by yourself. This can cause serious injury to your skin and plantar warts can spread rapidly.

3. Are Plantar Warts Contagious To Other Parts Of The Body?

Yes, if you touch the wart and touch other parts of the body it can spread.

4. How Does Duct Tape Help In Getting Rid Of Plantar Warts?

A plantar wart, when covered with a duct tape, is cut off from the air supply and sun exposure. This leads to the death of skin cells around it and the plantar wart falls off.

5. When To See A Doctor?

• There are several reasons to see a doctor –
• If you are above 60 and never had a wart before. This could be a cancerous growth.
• If it becomes infectious, filled with pus or starts bleeding.
• If it hasn’t shown any sign of improvement after a month or two.
• If they start spreading everywhere.
• If it becomes too painful to stand or walk

Conclusion

Warts are persistent and can take time to come off. Also, you might have to try several home remedies before you can see a difference. Now that you have the remedies go ahead and try them.