How to Prevent and Treat Plantar Warts

A plantar wart is different then other warts and really needs to be treated different. This wart is caused by a virus and digs into the feet. This can become painful over time. There are ways to prevent and treat plantar warts. With a little work, you can keep yourself safe, and get rid of the plantar wart and the virus that causes it as quickly and painlessly as possible should you get a plantar wart.

• Don't share your shoes with other people. The virus that causes plantar warts can be spread and this is the easiest way for this to happen.

• Wear shower shoes when showering in public places. You can get plantar warts, as well as nail fungus and athletes foot from public showers, passed on by other people.

• If a family member has one that is uncovered, clean the shower with shower cleaner, bleach, or floor cleaner after he or she gets out.

While plantar warts can be spread, it is often the case that they appear after a person has caught the virus that causes them. This could be days, weeks, months, and even years after the person caught the virus. Additionally once you have had them once you can have them again at any time without warning.

You have several options and some home remedies have a lot of steps and are a lot of work. However, you don't have to use these to get great results. It should be noted that you should never cut the wart out, dig it out, scrape it off, or any other such method. You can spread the wart by having the small pieces going all over, but in addition to that you can also get rid of it, but have it come back bigger, with a deeper root. It is much better to avoid doing this at all cost.

• Amazingly the best treatment option for plantar warts is duck (or duct) tape. You will want a good brand because it will need to be on for awhile. You will want a good sized piece to make sure it covers the wart and holds the tape in place. You will need to leave it there for ten days (if possible). After ten days slowly remove the tape. If the wart was small then you will see white skin pealing, and most likely sections of the wart pulling out of place. If the wart is all gone then you are done. If not, then you need to replace the tape and check it every five to ten days. How long it takes depends on the size of the wart. Many doctors will recommend this method for removing it, however no one really knows why it works. It may be that the wart needs air and the tape locks it out and kills it.
• Mediplast is another option. This one works a little faster, but is more painful and a lot more expensive. These come in small squares and are located behind the counter at the pharmacy so you will have to ask for them. You then cut the metiplast to fit the size of the wart and tape it on. You will check it every few days replacing the metaplast.
• Other products could work, though I have not tried them myself. Compound W is a newer one. Dr. Scholl's also has a product.

These at home methods are easy and effective. There is no need to go to the doctor, to have it frozen or burned off, or any other procedure at the doctor's office.

*For those struggling to keep sticky stuff on their feet you may want to consider an over the counter liquid or gel product that will allow you to use it twice a day, but not have to deal with keeping anything on your foot.

Plantar warts are never fun to deal with. Should you get one it is important that you act quickly. Choose a method to get rid of them and get on it. The sooner it is caught the smaller and easier it will be to remove. Stick with the treatment at least six weeks. If you are still having trouble make an appointment to see the doctor. He or she may have some helpful advice or a solution. The reason I don't run to the doctor is that most of the time their methods are similar, time consuming, expensive, and or painful.