How to Treat Warts on Your Feet
Warts begin when the plantar wart virus enters the foot through microscopic cuts and scratches, gaining enough of a stronghold to form a wart. It can be very difficult to get rid of a foot wart.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Mild Detergents
- 40% Salicylic Acid Solutions Plaster
- Adhesive Bandages
- Antibiotic Creams
- Cotton Swabs
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Wart Streatments
- Scissors
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-
1
Wash all equipment in soap and water. Rinse with alcohol or antiseptic.
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2
Put two tbsp. mild household detergent in half-gallon of warm water. Soak foot for ten minutes.
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3
Cut out a square of 40% salicylic acid plaster, about the size of the wart, and remove backing to expose self-stick surface.
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4
Apply sticky side directly on wart. Push down and cover with adhesive bandage.
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5
Keep plaster on wart and keep dry for two days.
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6
After two days, carefully remove adhesive bandage and plaster. The wart should be whitish.
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7
Brush wart vigorously with old toothbrush, soap and water for one minute twice a day for two days.
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8
Expose wart to air as much as possible.
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9
Talk to a podiatrist about removing the wart with a carbon dioxide laser unit. After the doctor administers a local anesthetic, a focused laser light beam will vaporize your wart. Most insurance companies cover the cost of laser wart removal.
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10
Ask your foot doctor about debriding your warts with a 30- to 70 percent trichloroacetic acid solution. Debriding often requires five or six treatments. If after the tenth debriding treatment, the wart still comes back, your doctor may consider surgically removing it.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Do not let salicylic acid touch healthy skin.
Warts that have been removed may return.
If you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, consult a physician before self-treating foot problems.
Do not use razor blades, knives or any other sharp objects on the wart.
There is a possibility of scarring after warts are removed.
If severe swelling, redness, heat and pain persist for two days, or if you see a break in the skin and are running a fever, contact a physician.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
