Remedies for plantar warts - why do I need it?

Remedies for plantar warts will fast become a priority once you learn that you have been infected with the strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes warts on the soles of your feet. It is vital to remove plantar warts as soon as you become aware of them, since these warts typically are very contagious. 

The virus can survive for a very long time without a host, and flourishes in those moist areas found in locker rooms, gymnasiums, changing rooms, etc. These facilities are frequently available for use to the general public, increasing the chances of getting infected with the virus. Nobody is exempt from contracting the virus; it is however as a rule more prevalent in children aged 12 to 16 years of age.  

Infection takes place when the virus enters the body through tiny cracks or scratches in the skin. The infection can go unnoticed for months; even years after contracting the virus. This skin disorder afflicts the ball and heel of the foot, and when not treated in its "infancy", can become really painful and irritating. The infection easily spreads to other parts of the foot, and can form clusters of warts known as mosaic warts. Curbing the infection therefore necessitates finding remedies for plantar warts quickly. Another form of plantar wart is those with a cauliflower-like appearance.

Remedies for plantar warts -  recognize the symptoms?

Typical symptoms indicating infection:

At first these warts appear as tiny flesh-colored growths on the sole of the foot. Due to the fact that they are very contagious it is imminent to start with treatment as soon as possible. Neglecting to get rid of warts on feet cause the infection to quickly spread to other parts of the foot. 

When the warts are on the areas of the foot subjected to pressure when walking, running and/or standing, i.e. the ball or heel, the warts start to grow inwards while a callous forms on the outer skin. Considering the symptoms, the need to find the best remedies for plantar warts should by now be very apparent to the person infected with these warts!

This causes the pain and also the discomfort usually associated with plantar warts.   

Remedies for plantar warts - what are my options?

Remedies for plantar warts:

For people with healthy immune systems the chances are the warts will spontaneously dissolve due to the fact that the warts are self-limiting. Where the immune system has been compromised as the result of illness or even medicine the chances are the warts will need treatment. The condition of the skin also plays a role as dry skin is more susceptible to crack, which is all the virus needs to enter it. 

As mentioned earlier, treating the warts when still small is imperative. Over-the-counter topical treatments should be sufficient in getting rid of the wart. These treatments typically are in the form of wart removal creams, ointments, gels or lotions, and can be procured from a drug store in the area where you live with no prescription.

It is however very important to apply the product in accordance with the enclosed instructions to prevent damage to the healthy unaffected skin around the warts.

Home remedies for plantar warts:

Treatment options used by most people successfully are listed here, but is by no means an exhaustive list. They include:

• treatments which have either trichloroacetic, salicylic or glycolic acid as an ingredient. The function of the chemicals are to kill the infection by destroying the cells of the virus. The chemical peeling process which follows as a result of this application, is known as keratolysis. Keratolysis is the removal of the dead skin using a pumice stone or an emery board. 

• duct tape, when applied to the wart, cuts of the oxygen. The wart "suffocates", and should come off when duct tape is removed. If not, duct tape is applied again until the wart comes off with the tape. It is advised to keep the tape in place with the aid of a bandage.

• cryosurgery is available as a home remedy for warts, and can also be administered by your physician. It involves the application of liquid nitrogen, a freezing agent, to the wart. Warts change from skin-colored to black and falls off.  

Surgical methods:

When home remedies for plantar warts are not adequate, it is recommended to obtain professional advice from your physician. Your doctor will normally assess your skin condition, and advise on course of action to follow. Depending on the findings, the doctor will either propose other treatments you can try, administer some treatment or refer you to a dermatologist.

Treatment options:

• Immunotherapy involves the injection of antigens into the wart. Imiquimod is widely used for this application, and has proven to be a very successful method used for getting rid of plantar warts. The function of the antigens is to compel the immune system to fight off any foreign entrants of the body.

• Electrosurgery: the patient is locally anaesthetised before procedure starts. The wart is pared (cut), and then the tissue of the wart is burned (cauterised) at the base of the wart by applying heat. This procedure may cause some scars. 

• Surgical excision: the wart is cut out, removing it with its roots. Scars are a result of this procedure; the only surgical method though which will ensure no recurrence of warts. 

Conclusion:

To remove plantar warts is achievable; prevention is nevertheless still better than cure. Preventative measures include: 

• keep feet clean and dry
• refrain from sharing socks and/or shoes with anybody
• wear shoes when public facilities with wet areas is visited 
• no direct contact with any persons already infected with the virus 

Getting rid of planters warts can be challenging when negligence in getting treatment caused the distribution of the infection. None of the remedies for plantar warts are guaranteed to cure the infection, and warts may occur again if proper hygiene is not exercised.