Plantar Wart Treatment

Plantar wart treatment is the removal of the plantar wart. There are several options for getting rid of plantar warts. Some plantar wart treatments are administered by a doctor. There are home treatments for plantar warts as well.

A common removal method is cryotherapy. This is the freezing of the plantar wart. A doctor applies liquid nitrogen either by spraying or with a cotton-tipped applicator. The liquid nitrogen causes the affected area to blister. This causes the wart tissue to die. The treated wart will fall off usually within a week. This is usually effective, but may require subsequent visits for repeat treatments. Cryotherapy can be painful.

Cantharidin is an extract from the blister beetle. A doctor applies cantharidin to the plantar wart and covers it with tape. Similar to cryotherapy, the cantharidin causes the treated area to blister. A week later, the doctor clips off the plantar wart. A doctor in the United States is not likely to use this method since cantharidin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

If plantar warts are resistant to treatment, the doctor may suggest more aggressive treatment methods. There are two surgery methods that might be used to remove plantar warts. One method is laser surgery. The other surgical method is the use of an electric needle.
The doctor may choose to use the power of the individual’s immune system to get rid of the plantar wart. Immunotherapy involves using medication to strengthen the person’s immune systems response the plantar wart. The doctor might inject the plantar wart with interferon. Another immunotherapy treatment for plantar warts is imiqimod (Aldara) cream.

Most over-the-counter treatments for plantar warts contain salicylic acid. The over-the-counter treatments often suggest treating the plantar wart after bathing or soaking. Some suggest the user to rub the affected area with a pumice stone to remove any dead skin on the plantar wart. The over-the-counter treatment is then applied. The treated plantar wart is then covered with a pad.

A home remedy for plantar wart removal is the use of duct tape. The plantar wart is covered with a piece of duct tape for six days. Duct tape can be used alone or in combination with an over-the-counter treatment. After the six days, the person is to soak the foot and gently scrape the plantar wart with a pumice stone. This often results in the removal of the plantar wart.
When using home treatment, it is important to remember that plantar warts can spread if proper hygiene is not followed. Plantar warts can spread by handling them and touching other parts of the foot. A plantar wart should also be covered to avoid the contamination of shower and bathroom floors.

They can also spread from the skin shed from a plantar wart. Therefore, anyone using a home method that suggests rubbing the plantar wart with a pumice stone should keep in mind that the skin that sloughs off the wart can potentially cause the further spread of the plantar wart. Hands should be thoroughly washed after any home treatments.