How to Treat Plantar Warts on Feet & Heels

Plantar warts are protrusions of skin that occur only on the bottom of the foot. They can be painful, especially if you apply pressure. Severe plantar warts, or those located on the heel, may cause pain even when you are walking or standing. They are unsightly and uncomfortable, but not dangerous. Caused by a minor viral infection, plantar warts are traditionally treated by salicylic acid or freezing. Stubborn plantar warts, however, may only respond to alternative treatment methods.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic tub
• Pumice stone
• Towel
• Duct tape
• Clear nail polish
• Apple cider vinegar
• Cotton balls
• Large adhesive bandages

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Instructions

Pre-Treating the Wart

• 1

  Fill a plastic tub with hot water. The water should be at hot as you can comfortably stand.

• 2

  Soak the affected foot for a minimum of 15 minutes. The soaking will soften the plantar wart.

• 3

  Remove the foot from the water and briskly scrub the plantar wart with the pumice stone. This will remove the top, softened layers of skin. Dry the foot thoroughly.

Treatment Methods

• 4

  Coat the wart with seven layers of clear nail polish, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. Wait for one week; peel off the dried polish. Pumice the wart until smooth, and apply seven more coats of polish. Repeat this process until the wart is gone.

• 5

  Tear a piece of duct tape approximately five times the size of the wart. Firmly press the adhesive side over the wart. After one week, remove the tape. Pumice the wart until smooth and apply another piece of duct tape. Repeat this process until the wart is gone.

• 6

  Pour a few drops of apple cider vinegar onto a cotton ball. Place the cotton ball over the wart. Secure the cotton ball to the wart with a large adhesive bandage. Change the cotton ball weekly, pumicing the wart each time, until it is gone.