What is the best way to get rid of plantar warts?

Plantar warts, unlike other types of warts, are small growths that appear only on the soles of the feet. They are small, round, rough and often flat formations with tiny pinpoint blood clots in the center.

What is it
Plantar warts are common, and there are several treatment options, xrust reported. All warts are caused by the human papillomavirus. The infection can live on various surfaces, especially in public places — the walls and floors of swimming pools, showers or gyms. If you walk barefoot with any kind of break in your skin and are exposed to a virus, you may develop a plantar wart.

When walking, pressure is applied to the wart, which causes it to grow inward. Warts on other parts of the body, on the other hand, grow outward, forming a lump.

Plantar warts are contagious. When one appears, others may develop in nearby areas of the skin. They can also be spread through skin-to-skin contact or shared footwear.

Can they be treated at home
Plantar warts can go away without treatment, but this can take years. Because they can be painful or uncomfortable, and increase in size over time, people usually seek to remove them.

Over-the-counter salicylic acid liquids, gels, and patches are some treatment options, but their effectiveness is inconsistent. This is due to the fact that they may not contain a high enough acid concentration or be used incorrectly. Therefore, it is best to consult a dermatologist.

Treatment methods
Among the effective treatment methods is cryotherapy. However, this method may be painful for the foot. Additionally, it may require multiple treatments and is not as effective as cantharidin.

Laser therapy with local anesthesia may be used for warts that do not respond to other treatments. Doctors often remove plantar warts surgically.

On TikTok, some users claim that covering warts with duct tape for a few days can get rid of them. A small study published in 2002 found that duct tape may be more effective than cryotherapy in treating common warts.

Prevention
The most effective strategy is to limit walking barefoot in public. Wear flip-flops when heading to the gym showers or walking on the pool deck. It is also recommended to regularly moisturize the skin of your feet to prevent cracking.

Xrust What is the best way to get rid of plantar warts?