Natural Remedies for Plantar Warts

A wart is a harmless non-cancerous growth, caused due to a virus, called the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus enters the human body through the cuts and bruises in the skin. The wart develops on the soles of feet, usually on the pressure points. These pressure points include the heels and the balls of the feet. Plantar warts do not cause serious health problems, but are usually painful. There are around 100 types of human papillomavirus (HPV). These HPVs are responsible for warts on fingers, hands and feet and the genital warts. The virus that causes plantar warts is not a contagious virus. This virus grows in warm and humid environments, like shower floors and public swimming pools. The plantar warts are contagious if one comes in contact with the wart-affected skin or blood.

Some people have a strong immune system to fight against the HPV. This is the reason different people react differently to the attack of HPV. Plantar warts generally do not require treatment. However, some plantar warts are painful and need be treated. Plantar warts can be very painful when walking. Cuts and scars in the skin can cause plantar warts. Weak immune system can also lead to plantar wart growth on the feet. Children and teenagers are more susceptible to plantar warts.

Natural Remedies

Sometimes, warts are very painful and some home remedies can really heal them. However, it takes some time for the plantar warts to heal.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is easily available and can be used to treat plantar warts. Apple cider vinegar, petroleum jelly, medical sticking tape and cotton ball are required for treating the plantar warts. This treatment must be done at night, just before going to sleep. The petroleum jelly should be applied to the plantar wart and the surrounding unaffected area. Take some apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and apply it to the wart. It mat be very painful initially when you apply the apple cider vinegar. Wrap the plantar wart using the medical sticking around the feet by pressing the cotton ball against it. Leave this overnight. The effects are not seen immediately, it takes some days or even weeks. The results vary from person to person.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is found in plants, used for topical skin treatment. Salicylic acid is available in many forms like paint, cream, plaster or tape. Dip your feet in warm water before you apply the salicylic acid so that the skin becomes softer and can easily absorb the medicine. The salicylic acid should not touch other unaffected parts of the skin. Apply the salicylic acid overnight until the wart becomes soft enough to be removed by scrubbing. The wart is scrubbed using a foot file or pumice stone. The pumice stone or foot file should not be used again for any other scrubbing; rather it is advisable to discard it when your wart heals.

Castor Oil

Castor oil must be mixed along with baking soda to form a paste. Apply the mixture to the wart and cover it overnight with a medical sticking. The wart must be scrubbed off when it becomes soft and less painful.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera gel is a soothing gel for any skin related problems. The Aloe Vera can also be used for treating plantar warts. The Aloe Vera gel is applied to the plantar wart and daily scrubbing of the wart is a must.

The plantar warts can be very painful when you walk and can be prevented by taking into consideration the following points:

• Avoid walking bare feet on wet surfaces except for the sandy beaches.
• Keep the feet dry and clean and change socks daily.
• Do not ignore skin growths on your body, immediately contact a podiatric physician.

These are some of the tips for keeping away the painful plantar warts. Treating them naturally is the only way you can treat them to cure the painful plantar warts, otherwise, warts need no treatment at all; they vanish on their own.