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how do you stop a plantar wart from hurting

by Prof. Cali Conroy Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Most plantar warts do not need treatment. But if warts cause you pain or spread, your doctor may recommend that you use an over-the-counter
over-the-counter
The term over-the-counter (OTC) refers to a medication that can be purchased without a medical prescription. In contrast, prescription drugs require a prescription from a doctor or other health care professional and should only be used by the prescribed individual.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Over-the-counter_drug
treatment
. These include salicylic acid, duct tape, and freezing sprays. Your doctor may prescribe a stronger medicine to put on warts or may inject them with medicine.

Medication

What can I do to remove warts on my plantar at home?

  • Apple vinegar. It can be laborious to produce, because you will require organic apple cider vinegar directly derived from the fruit.
  • Lemon. Both apple cider and lemon vinegar are both highly effective elements to get rid of warts. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Enhance your immune system. ...

Procedures

  • Freezing with liquid nitrogen
  • Burning or cautery with an electric needle or a laser
  • Applying acids stronger than over-the-counter ones to help destroy the wart
  • Injecting bleomycin into the wart. ...
  • Injecting medication to promote the body’s immune system to fight off warts

More items...

Therapy

When using apple cider vinegar to treat a wart, a person can follow these steps:

  • Gather a bottle of apple cider vinegar, cotton balls or cotton-tipped applicators, and a small bandage.
  • Soak the cotton ball in apple cider vinegar, and apply this to the area where the wart is.
  • Place the bandage over the cotton ball and leave it in place overnight. ...
  • Replace the cotton ball with a fresh one dipped in apple cider vinegar each night.

More items...

Self-care

Plantar warts may cause pain if you squeeze them, though, while calluses usually do not. You may also see tiny black specks in a wart, which are blood vessels. With both plantar warts and calluses, you may feel as if you’re walking around with a small pebble in your shoe. Plantar warts often cause more pain than calluses do, though.

Nutrition

What is the best home remedy for plantar warts?

What is the best over the counter treatment for warts?

How to use apple cider vinegar to remove plantar warts?

What does planters wart feel like?

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Why is my plantar wart hurting?

One of the biggest reasons plantar warts are so painful is because of their location. As growths form on the sole of your foot, you add pressure to the wart every time you walk, stand, or engage in physical activity.

What is the quickest way to get rid of a plantar wart?

TreatmentFreezing medicine (cryotherapy). Cryotherapy is done in a clinic and involves applying liquid nitrogen to the wart, either with a spray or a cotton swab. ... Stronger peeling medicine (salicylic acid). Prescription-strength wart medications with salicylic acid work by removing a wart a layer at a time.

How long do plantar warts hurt?

Plantar warts can be small, or they can grow to cover most of the sole of the foot. They are usually painless and go away on their own, sometimes taking a few months to resolve (but can take up to 2 years).

What does it mean if a wart is painful?

In such cases, it is possible that bacteria may enter the wart or surrounding area, and a bacterial infection may result, causing pain, discoloration and other symptoms. If you are concerned that a wart may be infected, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

How deep can a plantar wart go?

When first diagnosed, individuals often feel a “lump” on the bottom of the foot when standing, similar to having a stone in a shoe. If left untreated, plantar warts can grow up to 1 inch in circumference and may spread into clusters called mosaic warts.

Are plantar warts an STD?

These kinds of HPV are spread during sexual contact. (Other types of HPV cause common warts like hand warts and plantar warts on the feet — but these aren't sexually transmitted.)

What happens if you ignore a plantar wart?

Plantar warts are highly contagious. Once one develops, if left unchecked, it can quickly spread to other parts of your foot. Soon, you'll have multiple warts to deal with instead of just one. Additionally, the warts or area around them may become infected, leading to serious issues.

Does walking on a plantar wart make it worse?

Plantar warts are most common on the parts of the foot that receive the most pressure when you're standing or walking. Since those are two things you can't avoid, additional standing and walking increase the pressure on the wart and send it further inward, deep into your skin.

Why does duct tape work on plantar warts?

Believe it or not, duct tape was originally described by the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics as a treatment for plantar warts on the feet. It works by stripping away the top layer of the wart and suffocates the aerobic virus, which needs air to survive.

What virus causes warts?

What causes warts? Warts are caused by an infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus causes an excess amount of keratin, a hard protein, to develop in the top skin layer (epidermis).

Can you pull a plantar wart out with tweezers?

Don't pick your warts. Remember that the virus is contagious when the wart is opened up, or that top layer of cells is removed. When you pick your warts, the virus is on your hands and can be easily spread to other parts of your skin, or to surfaces that others may touch. Cover your warts with a bandage.

How do you get rid of warts on your feet overnight?

Mix two parts apple cider vinegar in one-part water. Soak a cotton ball in the vinegar-water solution. Apply the cotton ball directly on the wart. Cover with tape or a bandage, keeping the cotton ball on the wart overnight (or for longer if possible).

How do you get rid of a wart in 24 hours?

Gather a bottle of apple cider vinegar, cotton balls or cotton-tipped applicators, and a small bandage. Soak the cotton ball in apple cider vinegar, and apply this to the area where the wart is. Place the bandage over the cotton ball and leave it in place overnight. Some people may leave it on for up to 24 hours.

How do you get rid of a wart in one day?

Mix two parts apple cider vinegar in one-part water. Soak a cotton ball in the vinegar-water solution. Apply the cotton ball directly on the wart. Cover with tape or a bandage, keeping the cotton ball on the wart overnight (or for longer if possible).

Can you squeeze a plantar wart out?

A plantar wart is painful when squeezed; a callus is not. It's an important test. Many people rub calluses with abrasive objects like pumice stones, nail files and emery boards to remove the thick, rough skin. And that is not recommended for removal of plantar warts.

What does a planters wart look like when it comes out?

Plantar warts often look like circular spots of thick, callused skin. These spots will typically have tiny black dots on the surface, which are actually bits of dried blood. Plantar warts are usually flat and grow inwards as pressure from walking is applied to them. This often leads to pain.

What is the best treatment for plantar warts?

Vaccine. HPV vaccine has been used with success to treat warts even though this vaccine is not specifically targeted toward the wart virus that causes the majority of plantar warts.

What to do if you have a wart on your foot?

Poor sensation in your feet. Weakened immunity. If pressure on the wart causes pain, try wearing well-cushioned shoes, such as athletic shoes that evenly support the sole and relieve some of the pressure. Avoid wearing uncomfortable shoes.

How to diagnose a plantar wart?

In most cases, your doctor can diagnose a plantar wart with one or more of these techniques: Examining the lesion. Paring the lesion with a scalpel and checking for signs of dark, pinpoint dots — tiny clotted blood vessels. Removing a small section of the lesion (shave biopsy) and sending it to a laboratory for analysis.

How long does it take for plantar warts to go away?

Most plantar warts are harmless and go away without treatment, though it may take a year or two. If your warts are painful or spreading, you may want to try treating them with over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications or home remedies. You may need many repeated treatments before the warts go away, and they may return later.

How long does it take for a wart to heal after cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy may also stimulate your immune system to fight viral warts. You may need to return to the doctor's office for repeat treatments every two to four weeks until the wart disappears.

How to remove warts from skin?

Usually, you're instructed to wash the site, soak it in warm water, and gently remove the top layer of softened skin with a pumice stone or emery board. Then after the skin has dried, you apply the solution or patch.

What is the best medicine for warts?

Stronger peeling medicine (salicylic acid). Prescription-strength wart medications with salicylic acid work by removing layers of a wart a little bit at a time. They may also stimulate your immune system's ability to fight the wart.

How to get rid of plantar warts on feet?

One way to gradually get rid of plantar warts is by using duct tape. Stick a small piece of tape to the affected area, and then change the tape at least twice a day. (You might need to change the tape more often for warts on the bottoms of your feet.)

How long does it take to remove plantar warts?

While plantar warts aren’t dangerous, you might want to get them removed due to discomfort and aesthetic reasons. Any wart removal treatment will take several weeks , if not longer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

What is a plantar wart?

Plantar warts occur from a viral infection in your skin called the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus can enter your skin through cuts. Plantar warts are common on the soles of the feet. These types of warts can be painful, and the resulting raised bumps uncomfortable. Plantar warts also have “wart seeds,” or tiny black spots ...

Why do plantar warts grow inward?

A plantar wart that grows inward can also create a callus due to increased pressure against your skin.

What are the risk factors for plantar warts?

You might be at an increased risk of getting plantar warts if you: have a history of plantar warts. are a child or a teenager. have a weak immune system.

How long does it take for a wart to fall off?

To use freezing spray, dispense the product directly onto your wart for up to 20 seconds. Repeat if necessary. The blister will form and fall off in about one week. After this time, you may decide to repeat treatment if the wart is still there.

Can you get plantar warts at home?

While not necessarily harmful, plantar warts can grow and eventually make it uncomfortable to stand and walk. It’s possible to treat plantar warts at home, but it’s also important to know when you should see a doctor for medical treatment.

How to get rid of plantar warts?

Plantar Wart Freezing. Freezing a wart using cryotherapy is an effective wart removal option. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the plantar wart with a spray or cotton swab. This destroys the tissue and causes a small blister to form over the spot. In a week or so, the dead skin will be gone.

What is the procedure to remove a plantar wart?

Laser surgery – Laser treatments burn the tiny blood vessels inside the plantar wart. Eventually, the infected tissue dies and the wart falls off. There is less potential for scarring than other surgeries.

How long does it take for plantar warts to go away?

Just leave it alone. Like other warts, most plantar warts eventually go away on their own. It might just take a year or two. If your plantar warts are painful or spreading to other areas of your feet, waiting is not an option. You need immediate relief.

What is the best way to remove a wart?

There are many different types of wart removal surgery. Your provider will choose the best option for your case. Electrosurgery – Using an electric needle, your provider cuts out the infected wart tissue. Curettage – The plantar wart is dug out with a small spoon-like instrument.

What is the best way to diagnose plantar warts?

Usually, a foot examination is all that’s needed to diagnose plantar warts. Sometimes, your provider will need to trim a tiny portion of the skin to see if it bleeds — a clear signal that it’s a wart and not a callus.

Why do warts appear on my feet?

Then, it forms that ugly, rough bump. Since warts are caused by a viral infection, they are easily spread through contact. Anything that has had contact with a wart — your hand, a towel, a sock, the floor — can spread it. And when warts show up on your feet, they can be as painful as they are unsightly.

What are the warts on the bottom of your feet?

Warts on the bottom of your feet, known as plantar warts, are the most likely type to give you any other trouble or symptoms. Because of their location — the soles, heels, toes and balls of your feet — plantar warts send you a painful reminder of their presence with every single step.

How to prevent plantar warts?

To reduce your risk of plantar warts: 1 Avoid direct contact with warts. This includes your own warts. Wash your hands carefully after touching a wart. 2 Keep your feet clean and dry. Change your shoes and socks daily. 3 Avoid walking barefoot around swimming pools and locker rooms. 4 Don't pick at or scratch warts. 5 Don't use the same emery board, pumice stone or nail clipper on your warts as you use on your healthy skin and nails.

Why are my plantar warts so painful?

Plantar warts are caused by the same type of virus that causes warts on your hands and fingers. But, because of their location, they can be painful.

What causes plantar warts on the bottom of the foot?

Plantar warts are caused by HPV. The virus enters your body through tiny cuts, breaks or other weak spots on the bottom of your feet.

How do warts on feet develop?

They develop when the virus enters your body through tiny cuts, breaks or other weak spots on the bottoms of your feet. HPV is very common, and more than 100 kinds of the virus exist. But only a few of them cause warts on the feet. Other types of HPV are more likely to cause warts on other areas of your skin or on mucous membranes.

Where is the plantar wart on the foot?

Plantar wart signs and symptoms include: A small, fleshy, rough, grainy growth (lesion) on the bottom of your foot, usually the base of the toes and forefoot or the heel. Hard, thickened skin (callus) over a well-defined "spot" on the skin, where a wart has grown inward. Black pinpoints, which are commonly called wart seeds but are actually small, ...

Can you get HPV from walking around?

The HPV strains that cause plantar warts aren't highly contagious. So the virus isn't easily transmitted by direct contact from one person to another. But it thrives in warm, moist environments. Consequently, you may contract the virus by walking barefoot around swimming pools or locker rooms.

Who is most likely to get plantar warts?

Risk factors. Anyone can develop plantar warts, but this type of wart is more likely to affect: Children and teenagers. People with weakened immune systems . People who have had plantar warts before. People who walk barefoot where exposure to a wart-causing virus is common, such as locker rooms.

How can I prevent another plantar wart?

Do not touch your wart, or someone else's wart. If you do touch your wart, wash your hands.

How to remove warts from feet?

Salicylic acid is an over-the-counter peeling agent that comes as a liquid. Soak your foot in warm water for up to 20 minutes. Apply a small amount of salicylic acid directly to your wart. Avoid getting it on other skin areas, because it may irritate healthy skin. Let it dry, and cover the wart as directed. After several hours, use a pumice stone or nail file to gently remove dead skin. Use 2 times each day for as long as directed.

What are the signs and symptoms of a plantar wart?

Plantar warts most commonly form on pressure points, such as the heel or ball of your foot. You may have any of the following:

How to remove dead skin from warts?

After several hours, use a pumice stone or nail file to gently remove dead skin. Use 2 times each day for as long as directed. A plaster patch is also available over-the-counter. Cut the patch to the size of your wart. Apply the sticky side to the wart. After 1 to 2 days, peel the patch off and apply a fresh patch.

What are the dots on my wart?

You may have any of the following: A flat, gray, brown, or flesh-colored growth. Black dots in the center of your wart. One wart or a cluster of them. A small wart that grows in size. Pain or tenderness when you walk or stand.

What is the best way to freeze warts?

Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze your wart. Liquid nitrogen is available over-the-counter but may also be applied at your healthcare provider's office. Liquid nitrogen may cause mild pain for a short time. Use only as directed.

How to get rid of warts on skin?

Surgery to remove the ward may be needed. Your healthcare provider will numb your skin, remove the wart, and use electricity to burn the area to help prevent it from returning.

How to treat plantar warts on foot?

The warts could make walking uncomfortable. Pulverize several vitamin C tablets and moisten with water. Apply to foot and cover with a clean cloth or bandage. You could also try rubbing the inside of a banana peel on the wart every night. The potassium is said to heal warts. Verify if the plantar wart is healing 1 2.

What to do if your wart is stubborn?

If your wart is particularly stubborn, see your doctor. He can treat and remove the wart.

What is a plantar wart?

27 July, 2017. Fact Checked. A plantar wart is a common growth, caused by the human papillomavirus, that appears on the bottom of the foot. It is especially prevalent among children ages 12 to 16. The papillomavirus permits skin cells to develop at a quicker rate than other cells, and thus a growth appears.

Is it safe to treat a wart yourself?

Treating a wart yourself carries a risk of infection.

Does potassium help with plantar warts?

The potassium is said to heal warts. Verify if the plantar wart is healing 1 2. It should be turning white, indicating that the skin cells are dying. Try to remove the wart with a scalpel or clippers. Be patient, as healing can take awhile. Earlobe Wart. Learn More.

How to get rid of a wart before freezing?

Get the wart ready for removal. The better you prepare the wart for removal, the less freezing treatments you will likely need. Clean the wart. For two weeks prior to the freezing, before going to bed, clean the wart with soap and water, and put Compound W on it. Then, cover it with a pad of 40 percent salicylic acid.

How to tell if a wart is gone?

You should be able to tell if your wart is gone by looking at your foot. You should not have any black dots, one of the signs of plantar warts. Your skin should look smooth, particularly in the skin’s ridges. You should not see a bump or circle in the line pattern in your foot.

Can you get plantar warts on your foot?

Fact Checked. If you walk around barefoot, you could pick up a plantar wart. These warts show up on the bottom of your foot. You will see either one or a cluster of growths on the bottom of your foot. In children, sometimes they go away on their own, while adults usually have to see a doctor to get rid of them.

When to stop wart treatment?

The AOCD also recommends pausing treatment if the wart or surrounding area becomes sore or bleeds. People may need to miss a day of treatment and continue the following day or once irritation stops.

When to stop wart medication?

According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), people need to keep using wart medication until the wart is no longer visible and looks the same as the surrounding skin. People should not be able to see any black dots or areas of grainy texture.

Why do warts reoccur after treatment?

Wart treatments work by removing the wart rather than curing HPV. Due to this, warts may reoccur after treatment because the virus remains.

Why do butcher's warts appear on hands?

Butcher’s warts look like common warts, and they can also appear on the hands, often as multiple warts. However, they occur due to a specific strain of HPV and affect people who live or work in cold, moist environments.

What is a wart?

Treatments. Effectiveness. When to stop. Tips and prevention. When to see a doctor. Summary. Warts are harmless growths that often appear on the hands and feet. Some warts go away by themselves, but others may persist until a person gets treatment.

What is a plane wart?

Plane warts are flat, skin-colored warts that commonly grow on the face, hands, and shins. People usually have multiple plane warts. Shaving may be responsible for spreading the virus on the face or legs.

How long does it take for salicylic acid to remove warts?

Daily treatment with salicylic acid removes warts within 12 weeks in 70% of cases.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Preparing For Your Appointment

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Aakash Gupta
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Most of the plantar warts go away without treatment within a year or two. Medications and self care measures may be necessary to manage the condition. Surgery may be involved for removal of warts.
Medication

Keratolytic agents: To remove warts by peeling out layers of skin.

Salicylic acid


Terpenoids: To dissolve the wart.

Trichloroacetic acid


Vaccine: Has been found to be effective in treating warts.

HPV vaccination

Procedures

Electrosurgery: Removal of wart by burning the affected area.

Curettage: Removal of wart tissue using a scalpel or a small, sharp, spoon-shaped tool.

Laser surgery: Removal of wart using an intense beam of light, or laser, to burn and destroy the wart tissue.

Therapy

Cryotherapy:A mixture of chemicals is sprayed or applied with cotton swab on the warts. The dead skin starts to slough off gradually.

Duct tape occlusion:The wart is covered by a duct tape for several days and then removed.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Keep the feet clean and dry
  • Do not walk barefoot

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Foods rich in vitamins and minerals: e.g. Dark, leafy greens, sea vegetables, spinach, kale, pumpkin
  • Antioxidant rich Foods: e.g. Broccoli, blueberries, tomatoes, and cherries

Foods to avoid:

NA

Specialist to consult

Dermatologist
Specializes in the study of the skin and its disorders.
Podologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of foot diseases.

Overview

  • A health care provider usually diagnoses a plantar wart by looking at it or cutting off the top layer with a scalpel and checking for dots. The dots are tiny clotted blood vessels. Or your health care provider might cut off a small section of the growth and send it to a lab for testing.
See more on mayoclinic.org

Symptoms

  • Most plantar warts are harmless and go away without treatment, though it may take a year or two in children, and even longer in adults. If you want to get rid of warts sooner, and self-care approaches haven't helped, talk with your health care provider. Using one or more of the following treatments may help: 1. Freezing medicine (cryotherapy). Cryotherapy is done in a clinic and inv…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Causes

  • Many people have removed warts with these self-care tips: 1. Peeling medicine (salicylic acid).Nonprescription wart removal products are sold as a patch, gel or liquid. You'll likely be instructed to wash the site, soak it in warm water, and gently remove the top layer of softened skin with a pumice stone or emery board. Then after the skin has dri...
See more on mayoclinic.org

Risk Factors

  • You'll likely start by seeing your primary care provider, who may then refer you to a specialist in disorders of the skin (dermatologist) or feet (podiatrist). The following tips can help you prepare for your appointment.
See more on mayoclinic.org

Complications

  • Plantar warts are small, rough growths on the feet. They usually show up on the balls and heels of the feet, the areas that bear the most pressure. This pressure may also cause a wart to grow inward beneath a hard, thick layer of skin (callus). Plantar warts are caused by HPV. This virus enters through tiny cuts or breaks on the bottom of the feet. Most plantar warts aren't a serious …
See more on mayoclinic.org

Prevention

  • Plantar wart signs and symptoms include: 1. A small, rough growth on the bottom of your foot, usually at the base of the toes or on the ball or heel 2. On brown and Black skin, the growth may be lighter than unaffected skin 3. Hard, thickened skin (callus) over a spot on the skin, where a wart has grown inward 4. Black pinpoints, which are small clotted blood vessels commonly calle…
See more on mayoclinic.org

1.Plantar Wart: What is it, Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Url:https://www.healthline.com/health/skin-disorders/plantar-wart

5 hours ago  · You can apply a prescription-strength medication to your plantar warts at home and follow up with your provider to make sure the wart is entirely removed. Plantar Wart Freezing Freezing a wart using cryotherapy is an effective wart removal option.

2.Plantar warts - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

Url:https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-warts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352697

30 hours ago 1) Cryotherapy— Since plantar warts are often hidden under thick skin, they first need to be carefully exposed by your foot care professional by removing the skin. Liquid nitrogen can then be directly applied to freeze the wart so it crumbles and can be more easily removed.

3.Plantar Wart Home Remedy: 7 Treatments - Healthline

Url:https://www.healthline.com/health/plantar-wart-home-remedy

24 hours ago  · How can I treat my plantar wart at home? Salicylic acid is an over-the-counter peeling agent that comes as a liquid. Soak your foot in warm water for up to 20 minutes. Apply a small amount of ... A plaster patch is also available over-the-counter. Cut the patch to the size of your wart. Apply the ...

4.The Best Ways to Get Rid of Plantar Warts for Good

Url:https://www.iowaclinic.com/primary-care/best-ways-get-rid-plantar-warts/

13 hours ago  · The warts could make walking uncomfortable. Pulverize several vitamin C tablets and moisten with water. Apply to foot and cover with a clean cloth or bandage. You could also try rubbing the inside of a banana peel on the wart every night. The potassium is said to heal warts. Verify if the plantar wart is healing 1 2.

5.Plantar warts - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Url:https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-warts/symptoms-causes/syc-20352691

17 hours ago  · Then, cover it with a pad of 40 percent salicylic acid. Leave the pad on for 24 hours. Take off the pad, clean the area again with soap and water, put on Compound W, and put on another pad. If the pad cannot stay on during the day, just use it at night. If the wart starts to turn red or hurt during this process, stop doing it, and see the doctor.

6.Plantar Wart - What You Need to Know - Drugs.com

Url:https://www.drugs.com/cg/plantar-wart.html

8 hours ago  · Cryotherapy. Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart, which causes the surface layers to peel off. People need regular treatments every 1⁠–2 weeks to …

7.How to Know If a Plantar Wart Is Healing? | Healthfully

Url:https://healthfully.com/plantar-wart-healing-5818515.html

14 hours ago

8.How to Know When a Plantar Wart Is Completely Gone

Url:https://healthfully.com/plantar-wart-completely-gone-5686599.html

21 hours ago

9.How to know if wart removal is effective and when to stop

Url:https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/stages-of-wart-falling-off

24 hours ago

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