Does anything actually work for getting rid of warts on the soles of feet? I've been troubled by them on and off for years. They're not painful, just annoying. Any thoughts?
- HK
Plantar warts are small, rough skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus. Three-quarters of us will get
them at some point in our life. They're unsightly, sometimes uncomfortable, and easily spread to others.
Time is about the only reliable treatment. Almost all warts go away within two months to two years. But who wants to wait that long? No one, which is why people have tried everything to make them go away: dissolving them with acids, freezing them with liquid nitrogen, injecting them with immune-system modulants, and even covering them up with duct tape.
All of these treatments work, more or less. I say more or less because it's hard to prove a treatment works when warts can appear, disappear and reappear in the space of a couple of months, even without treatment. Was it a random disappearance, or did the expensive medication (Imiquimod) or doctor's therapy (cryoablation) work? Hard to be certain.
The most practical advice I can give you for dealing with plantar warts is to treat with topical salicylic acid daily, which basically melts away the dead top layer of skin; cover with an occlusive bandage, like corn pads or duct tape; and make sure you debride it every couple of days by using a pumice stone or emery board to grind away the dead skin.
Failing this, GP treatments with stronger agents are a reasonable next step. On the other hand, if the wart is not painful or embarrassing, one could also do nothing, knowing that in all likelihood it will resolve on its own.
One final reminder is that we're talking about common plantar warts. Warts that occur on the face or genitals, or ones that occur in people with immune-system problems like diabetes, should be seen by your doctor.
Gary Payinda MD is an emergency medicine consultant in Whangarei.
Have a science, health topic or question you'd like addressed? Email: drpayinda@gmail.com (This column provides general information and is not a substitute for the advice of your doctor.)
