Dr. Lorrie Klein’s Blog

See my page on a great way to get rid of these nasty lesions.

Plantar warts are warts that occur on the bottom of your feet (the “plantar” part of your feet.)  All warts are caused by a virus called HPV (human papilloma virus.)  If you have warts on the bottom of your feet they usually feel like a hard area of skin and often hurt when you walk on them.  A great over-the-counter remedy, so you don’t have to make an appointment right away with the dermatologist is to apply 17% salicylic acid in a liquid or gel form on the warts every day after your feet are dried off after your shower.  Let it dry for a minute then apply a small piece cut to fit over the wart of a 40% salicylic acid plaster or patch.  These are the highest strengths available and can be found in most drug stores without a prescription.  After you place the plaster over the wart (remember to cut it down to fit) place a long piece of waterproof bandage tape over it to hold it onto your foot and wear it all day.  Walking around on it will drive the medication into the wart.  Change it daily after your next shower and don’t forget to put the liquid on too!

After about 4-6 weeks of daily diligence with this routine you will hopefully find the wart pop out like a kernal when you remove the tape one day!