Contrary to popular belief, plantar warts are not just for children. In summer, it is not uncommon to catch warts at the edge of a swimming pool. The advice of a naturopath and a podiatrist-podiatrist to get rid of these small growths located under the surface of the foot or around the toes.
Plantar wart is often located under the surface of the foot, around the toes. It is a mild but contagious skin infection. This round, rough growth, dotted with black dots and caused by a virus from the papillomavirus family. We are not all equal when it comes to warts. Some may be exposed to the virus multiple times and never catch it, others may have it all their lives. People who are stressed, tired, and therefore less well immunized, run a greater risk of catching it.
Plantar wart: how is it treated?
Some warts disappear spontaneously, without treatment. In others, it is necessary to test several methods to overcome it. When they grow and become painful, it is best to consult a dermatologist or a podiatrist.
Cryotherapy, salicylic acid, curettage and carbon dioxide laser are among the most effective treatments.
Cryotherapy (cold treatment) is the most used method. The dermatologist locally applies liquid nitrogen which freezes the wart. A blister is then created like a blister, which will lead to the detachment of the wart in a few days. It is also possible to apply varnish or keratolytic creams. The goal is to reduce the thickness of the wart and gradually destroy it.
The use of the laser is recommended for extreme cases. This method, carried out by a doctor, is particularly effective since it destroys the wart. On the other hand, healing lasts about three weeks.
We are not all equal when it comes to warts. Some may be exposed to the virus several times – of the human papillomavirus or Human papillomavirus (HPV) type – and never catch it, others may have it all their lives.
You can also try natural treatments.
Plantar wart: if you are more aromatherapy
• Garlic or onion essential oil: pour 2 to 3 drops 3 times a day directly on the wart. Warning: the smell is strong and unpleasant.
• Tea tree essential oil: mix 4 drops of tea tree essential oil and 12 drops of St. John’s wort vegetable oil. Apply to the wart using a cotton swab. Cover the area to be treated with a bandage. Renew the application every day, for 4 to 6 weeks, to completely eliminate it.
Plantar wart: if you prefer homeopathy
- For localized warts around the nailsGraphites 9 CH, at the rate of 5 granules twice a day.
- For warts on hands and feet which do not hurt, Antimonium crudum 9 CH, at the rate of 5 granules twice a day.
- If they are small, thin, located at the edge of the nose, mouth or under the nails, Causticum 9 CH, at the rate of 5 granules twice a day. Duration of treatment: from a few days to several weeks.
Plantar wart: if you are rather herbal medicine
• Celandine sap: the fresh juice of celandine, collected from April to October, eliminates warts thanks to the action of sanguinarine and chelerythrine. Cut the stem and let the sap flow over the wart twice a day.
Good to know: You can also use it as an infusion: pour a teaspoon of dried celandine into a teacup filled with boiling water. Leave to infuse for ten minutes. Filter and drink. Use only the dried leaves and especially not the fresh plant, which is toxic.
• Birch bark
Moisten it with water vapor and place it on the wart, inner side on the skin. Birch bark contains salicylates that are found in most pharmacy verrucidal ointments.
Plantar wart: grandmother’s remedies
- The raw potato: rub a juicy slice on the wart. They say that if you bury it at the bottom of the garden, the method is even more effective, it’s called autosuggestion.
- Marseille soap : in the evening, before going to bed, rub the wart(s) with Marseille soap. Then keep the soap all night between the sheets, near the feet. Repeat the operation for a few days.
- Onion poultice : cut an onion in half and cover it with half a glass of vinegar. Leave to macerate for 2 hours. In the evening, apply the onion to the wart, hold it in place with a bandage and keep the preparation overnight. Repeat every evening until the wart disappears.
- Marine magnesium: extracted from seawater salt, marine magnesium is anti-fatigue and anti-stress. Composed of several magnesium salts (oxide, hydroxide, chloride and sulphate), it accelerates healing. And it has the advantage of being well tolerated by the body provided it is combined with vitamin B 6 (follow the recommendations).
Attention : “avoid bleeding the wart as this causes it to multiply. And wear special socks if you go to the swimming pool” advises Raphaël Sultan, podiatrist-podiatrist.
Our Experts:
Raphaël Sultan, podiatrist-podiatrist
Thierry Morfin, naturopath, naturopath, Paris, Brussels