Foot warts are noncancerous and usually caused by a viral infection in the top layer of the skin. They always show up on the heels of your feet, the area that bears the most pressure. Sometimes, that pressure can force the wart to grow inward, below the hard, thick layer of your skin. Foot warts usually go away on their own, but medical intervention might be needed at other times.
Understanding the symptoms of foot warts that require specialized care in Manhattan is important for your well-being. This article discusses home remedies and when to seek professional attention. At Best Foot Dr. NY, we are committed to providing guidance and treatment options tailored to your needs.
What Are Foot Warts?
Warts are skin lesions and bumps that result from an infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Anyone can get warts on the foot, but they are more common in children and teenagers. Warts that grow on the soles of the feet are called plantar warts, while common warts grow on the hands and fingers.
If you stay close to anyone with warts, avoid touching them because warts are contagious. Wash your hands immediately before touching any other part of your skin if you accidentally touch warts. If you are in Manhattan, NYC, seek professional advice from a podiatric surgeon at Best Foot Dr. NY on how to handle foot warts and prevent their occurrence.
Common Causes of Foot Warts
As mentioned earlier, foot warts occur when you get infected with HPV in the top layer of your skin at the soles of your feet. When there is an opening, a break, or weak spots on the bottom of your feet, the HPV virus makes an entry, causing the development of warts. Manhattan, NY, residents can seek professional help from our podiatrists at Best Foot Dr. NY, as foot warts can persist for several years in adults if left untreated.
Home Remedies for Foot Warts
Apple Cider Vinegar
One of the home remedies for foot warts is apple cider vinegar. This acidic substance is made using fermented apple juice. Apple cider vinegar is an effective home remedy because it peels away the infecting skin, which eventually forces the wart to come out. Vinegar is also a natural antimicrobial substance that helps fight HPV.
If you want to try this home remedy for foot warts, mix two parts of apple cider vinegar with one part of water. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture, place it on top of the foot wart, and cover it with a bandage. Leave the wet cotton on the wart for about four hours. Ensure that you dilute the apple cider vinegar to prevent accidental acid burns.
Banana Peels
There is also anecdotal evidence that banana peels are an effective home remedy for foot warts. A few people have reported positive results when they used banana peels to treat a wart on top of the toe or on the sole of the foot.
If you want to try this home remedy, cut a piece of banana peel and tape it over the wart. It is preferable that you tape it on the wart when you are about to go to bed. Make sure that the inner part of the banana peel touches the skin. Remove the peel when you wake up, and repeat the procedure every night until the foot wart is removed completely.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is also a home remedy for plantar wart removal from the foot. It is often used as a peeling agent to treat common skin care problems, such as acne and other dermatological conditions.
Applying salicylic acid to a wart infection destroys any cells on the foot that have been affected by HPV. Salicylic acid has the highest rate of effectiveness when used continually for 2 to 3 months.
Freezing
Freezing, or cryotherapy, is a standard medical treatment for warts on the foot. The kit needed for plantar warts treatment is also available over the counter. After purchasing the kit, you can freeze off the warts at home. Stock sprays for freezing foot warts can also be found at many pharmacies.
If you are in Manhattan, NY, our podiatrist for foot warts at Best Foot Dr. NY can help you choose the best option and guide you through its use.
Take Control of Your Foot Health Today
Foot warts should not slow your life down and cause you unnecessary discomfort. Even if these warts are not painful, they are not a pretty sight. At Best Foot Dr. NY, our podiatrist foot wart specialists in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, NYC, offer the best non-surgical plantar wart removal remedies. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.