Caused by the HPV (human papilloma virus) plantar warts can be very painful and difficult to treat. They are contagious too, so it makes sense to use preventative measures to avoid contracting this virus and to be thoughtful of others if you have plantar warts yourself.
Swimming pools and changing rooms are the most common places to pick up plantar warts so it can be a good idea to wear shower shoes, or at least be sure to wash and dry your feet thoroughly.
Many people report having success in dealing with their plantar warts using home remedies. Sometimes these can be painful, but it seems to depend on each person. By far the most reported success comes from using Apple cider vinegar with or without duct tape.
Duct tape is considered a slower but non painful home remedy and does not work for everyone. Soaking the feet in apple cider vinegar and or applying cotton balls soaked in vinegar and secured with either duct tape or a band-aid each night seems to result in the fastest and most effective solution for many plantar wart sufferers. Some people have found this painful though. Rubbing key lime on the warts as well as the vinegar seems to have worked wonders for some people too. Using a pumice stone to wear down the wart each day between applications helps to speed up the process.
Other successful home remedies for some people have been banana peels, Aloe Vera gel and pastes made of aspirin. The truth is when you are suffering from plantar warts you are probably willing to try almost anything, but patience is the key. Keep up whatever treatment you choose to use and do not expect overnight wonders. If your condition is improving keep going. But, it is always best to be seen by your local podiatrist to verify that you have a wart, recommend the best option for your warts and to monitor your treatment.
Conventional medical treatments for plantar warts are varied and your doctor may recommend one or more treatments. If the wart or warts are more severe either burning or freezing are the usual medical methods of removal. The freezing method, known as cryotherapy, uses an extremely cold solution, usually sodium nitride, to kill the virus.
Burning methods involve the use of acid. The most commonly used is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is the most common ingredient in over the counter wart remedies such as Dr Scholls, Wart-off and Compound W.
Lasers and immunotherapy are alternate ways to treat plantar warts. Surgically removing a plantar wart is usually very effective if other methods fail.
Copyright (c) 2009 Dr. Jennifer Feeny
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Dr. Jennifer Feeny is a board certified podiatric surgeon, with practices in Blacksburg, VA; Lexington, VA; and Troutville, VA. To see more of what Dr. Feeny is saying, visit her blog, Roanoke Foot Doctor, or website, Roanoke Foot Doctor, or website, www.shenandoahpodiatry.com" ;Shenandoah Podiatry
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
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