Warts that appear on the balls or heels of the feet are referred to as plantar warts. Although nothing serious, they can leave you in a lot of discomfort because of where they are.
Just like warts that may appear elsewhere on the body, plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Since the skin of the foot can have cracks on it and become fragile when in contact with water for a long time, it can be easy for HPV to penetrate the skin and cause an infection, resulting in the formation of warts.
Medical experts say that plantar warts are more common in children as well as those whose immune systems are weak. If you regularly go to the gym and you walk barefooted in the locker room, you are at risk of plantar warts.
The removal of plantar warts is desired by those who have them because of the great discomfort they bring. A doctor may deal with those growths by means of a variety of approaches. Some of them include the use of very strong acids such as salicylic acid, cryotherapy, laser treatment and even minor surgery.
Certain home remedies are also effective against plantar warts. If you are planning on eliminating your plantar warts by means of cheap and natural solutions, you may try one or more of the following:
Duct Tape
One of the most popular home remedies for plantar warts is duct tape. All you have to do is cover the growths with small pieces of duct tape for about a week. Remove and then soak your feet in warm water for several minutes. Afterwards, gently scrape off with a nail file or pumice stone. Repeat everything until those plantar warts are gone.
Banana Peel
Similarly, you may place small pieces of banana peel on your plantar warts, with the fleshy side facing those growths. Have the banana peels secured in place with duct tape or adhesive bandage. Every day or so, replace the small pieces of banana peels with fresh ones. Keep doing this until your problem is out of sight.
ACV
Short for apple cider vinegar, this well-known condiment is actually an effective home remedy for plantar warts. Come up with several pieces of small cotton balls, depending on how many plantar warts you want to eliminate. Soak them in ACV and wring out the excess. Secure in place with duct tape or adhesive bandage. Replace once dry.
Tea Tree Oil
One of the most powerful all-natural antifungal agents on the face of the planet is tea tree oil, and that is why it’s a very effective remedy for plantar warts. Several times a day, daub tea tree oil on plantar warts — diluting it is no longer necessary. Just make sure that you don’t apply undiluted tea tree oil on the surrounding skin.
Garlic
Another superb antifungal agent out there is garlic. All you need to do is grab a clove of it. Carefully peel and cut into thin slices. Secure a slice over each plantar wart with the use of duct tape or adhesive bandage. Similarly, you may daub garlic oil on your plantar warts several times daily until they go away.
Aloe Vera Gel
Do you have a garden and it has aloe vera in it? Then you have access to an effective remedy for plantar warts. Break off a leaf, cut the sides and slice in half. Collect the gel using a spoon. Apply aloe vera gel on plantar warts. Do this a number of times a day to make those unsightly and painful growths disappear in no time.
Sources: thenaturalpenguin.com
