To remove plantar warts may require a level of effort not normally associated with the removal of the average wart. The reason for this is to do with the location of these warts on the soles of the feet. Let’s look at what warts are, how we get them on our feet, and why we may need to take extra care to get rid of them.

So, to begin with, plantar warts, like all other warts, are caused by an infection of the human papillomavirus, of HPV.

The HPV is found throughout the human environment, and is very contagious. So contagious is it that one wart on your skin can lead to a rash of warts spreading over a wide area. HPV is spread easily and quickly from person to person by ordinary skin contact, and through shared objects like clothing or shoes.

Plantar warts are found exclusively on the soles of the feet. If you have them, you may have gotten them by walking barefoot in a gym locker room or swimming pool area, or by wearing shoes, trainers or sandals previously worn by an infected person. The HPV is impossible to avoid, so please don’t feel you have done anything wrong by having gotten this very common infection.

The trouble with the plantar wart is that, located as it is on the sole of the foot, it is a little harder to treat than other warts. Our feet tend to spend a lot of time locked inside socks and shoes, and so tend to have less access to cooler, drier air, which is conducive to healing. The insides of our shoes are warm and moist, a perfect environment for fostering the growth and spread of HPV.

So, if you have plantar warts, there are a number of steps you can take.

The first step is to take a trip to your local drugstore and ask for a weak solution of salicylic acid. This is widely available, and is sold under various brand names, depending on where you live.

Salicylic acid is a very old, very reliable cure for warts. It is unpleasant stuff to handle, and has an unpleasant odor. Properly used, it is easy to treat yourself or your children with this very reputable remedy.

Simply clean and dry the affected foot. Apply the acid to the wart or warts as per the instructions on the packet, then bandage. Repeat this process at least on a daily basis, and ALWAYS keep the area as clean and dry as possible. This is key to your success.

The other key to success is to persist. Salicylic acid takes its time working, and you may not see definitive results for two or three weeks. Keep up the treatment, and with luck you may have a complete cure.

If you do not get the result you want, talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend a stronger solution of salicylic acid to try. Over the counter solutions of this acid are typically less than 20%, while the prescription preparation may be 70% or more. Please exercise care in the use of this stronger solution.

If you get no relief with this simple home treatment, you may want to consider more powerful medical approaches, such as laser therapy or cryotherapy. Whatever you do, you must keep at it. Plantar warts can be persistent, and you may need all your patience to finally be rid of them.

Author Bio: Jim Evans is a mole and wart removal expert. For more great information on how to remove plantar warts visit http://www.secretsofmolewartremoval.com.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: remove plantar warts, plantar warts, wart removal