Plantar Wart

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Plantar warts are common warts that occur on the sole of the foot. They are usually flat with a build-up of thick skin around them, and have blood vessels inside that look like dots. They can feel painful when you walk, and you may have them for years. Treatments can be used to get rid of the warts, including application of a special mild acid followed by shaving off the old skin and wart. Several treatments may be necessary to completely remove the wart. Other treatments for plantar warts include burning or freezing the wart off, or applying other types of medicine.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him about any medicine allergies, and if you want to quit taking or change your medicine.
  
  
• Follow your medicine label or caregiver's directions carefully during your wart treatment: Keep your wart and surrounding skin clean and dry between treatments. It is important to return for more treatments if your caregiver tells you to.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

How do I treat my plantar wart at home?

If using a medicine or wart remover pad, do the following:

• Change your bandage or pad every one to two days, or follow your caregiver's directions.
  
  
• Remove the whitish-colored skin from the wart using a pumice stone or emery board (nail file). Do not cut or shave the area being treated unless instructed to do so.
  
  
• Before applying your medicine, soak your wart for five to ten minutes in warm water. This will soften the skin and help the medicine to be absorbed by (sink into) the wart better.
  
  
• Put the medicine on your wart as directed by the medicine label or your caregiver. Cover it with a bandage or first-aid tape. If using a wart pad, cut the pad so that it is no larger than the size of the wart. A pad that is too large may irritate the skin around the wart. Place the pad over the wart and cover it with first-aid tape.
  
  
• If you have long-term medical problems, always talk to your caregiver before treating a wart. Long-term health problems include diabetes, and heart and circulation (blood flow) problems. Long-term health problems also include diseases that decrease your ability to fight infection, such as AIDS and cancer.

How can I prevent spreading or getting a plantar wart again?

HPV grows well and spreads in warm, damp (wet) areas. Do the following to help prevent catching or spreading plantar warts:

• Do not walk barefoot in public places. Wear shower shoes or sandals in warm, damp areas, such as shower stalls and locker rooms.
  
  
• Keep your feet clean and dry. Use foot powder between your toes and on your feet after washing and drying them. Change socks often to avoid having damp feet. Wear dry shoes. Set your shoes in a place where they can dry out well when you are not wearing them.
  
  
• Do not scratch or pick at your warts.
  
  
• Do not share or reuse items that have come in contact with a plantar wart. Examples may include socks, washcloths, or towels. These items may be used again after they have been cleaned with hot water and soap.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a plantar wart that is painful.
  
  
• You have more pain or bleeding that has not stopped after treatment.
  
  
• You have redness, swelling, or drainage from the treated area. These may be signs of infection.
  
  
• Your wart is growing larger, or it is spreading and causing new warts.
  
  
• You have problems that may be caused by the medicine you are taking.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Plantar Wart (Aftercare Instructions)