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. Before starting, it is always best to see a local podiatrist as there are many other skin conditions that can look like warts, including certain skin cancers.  By far the most reported successful home remedy 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 many 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 don’t expect overnight wonders. If your condition is improving keep going.

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.

Laser treatment, immunotherapy and surgery may be considered for stubborn warts.