What is that thing on the bottom of your foot? It hurts when you walk but it doesn’t look serious. Could it be a callus, corn or maybe a splinter?
Plantar warts often appear at the worst time, like before a hike, a beach trip or a long day on your feet. They might be small but they can be stubborn and cause a lot of pain when you walk.
If you have a plantar wart, you probably want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Here are some home remedies that might help and when you should see a health care provider.
What is a plantar wart?
A plantar wart is a thick skin growth caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus gets into your skin through tiny cuts or cracks, usually on the soles of your feet. Your body responds by making extra skin in that area.
“Plantar warts usually grow on the bottoms of your feet, on the balls of your feet, around or between your toes and on your heels,” said Daniel Arrhenius, DPM, a podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon with Banner Health. "Sometimes, you may have just one wart but several can grow together to form a large group called a mosaic wart.”
You can tell it’s a wart if you notice these common signs:
- Rough, thick surface that may look like cauliflower
- Tiny black or brown dots (wart seeds) inside the bump (these are small blood vessels)
- Pain when you squeeze from the sides but less pain with direct pressure
- Skin lines that stop or break where the wart is, unlike calluses or corns
Why are plantar warts stubborn?
“Plantar warts can stick around because they grow inward under pressure from walking,” Dr. Arrhenius said. “That makes them harder to treat than warts on other parts of the body.”
They may also:
- Grow slowly over time
- Spread to nearby skin
- Come back after treatment
Plantar warts are contagious (can be passed from person to person), so you don’t want to share towels or shoes and you should keep the wart covered.
At-home treatment options
There are many at-home treatments advertised online and in stores. Some can help, while others have little evidence to support them.
Treatments worth trying
Dr. Arrhenius said the following options are the most supported by clinical evidence and a good place to start:
- Salicylic acid treatments: These come as pads, gels or liquids. They work by gradually removing layers of the wart. You usually need daily use for several weeks.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) freezing kits (cryotherapy): These kits freeze wart tissue. They can help but often require repeated applications.
Mixed or limited evidence
- Duct tape: Some people report success with covering the wart with duct tape. While it’s low risk, there’s no strong scientific proof that duct tape always works.
Treatments to skip or do with caution
You may see suggestions like:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Tea tree oil
- Garlic
- Other viral “TikTok cures”
These home remedies have little or no scientific proof. Dr. Arrhenius said they might help some people but don’t expect quick results.
No matter which treatment you choose, two things are most important: consistency and patience. You may need to apply the treatment every day for weeks or months. Results are usually slow and warts can come back.
What to avoid when trying to remove a plantar wart
Dr. Arrhenius warned against trying to remove a wart yourself by cutting, digging, shaving or burning it. Doing so could cause infection, scarring or make the wart spread. Don't share towels, socks or shoes with others because HPV can pass from person to person.
Get more tips on how to keep the warts from spreading.
Medical treatment options that work
If at-home remedies don’t work or the wart is painful or spreading, medical treatment can help. Common in-office treatments include:
- Debridement: Removing thick layers of wart tissue
- Prescription-strength salicylic acid or peeling agents
- Cryotherapy: Stronger freezing treatment than OTC kits
- Cantharidin: A blistering agent that helps lift the wart
- Laser therapy: Uses focused light to destroy the wart
- Electrocautery and curettage: Burning and scraping the wart away
- Minor surgical removal: Cutting the wart out
- Immunotherapy: Topical chemicals, injections or oral medicines that help your immune system fight the virus
Most in-office treatments are quick and only cause short-term discomfort. You can usually walk out and carry on with your day. Some treatments might leave the area sore for a day or two.
When should you see a health care provider?
You don’t have to wait until a wart gets worse to see a provider. Getting help early can make treatment easier.
Stop home treatment and see your health care provider if:
- You’ve tried treatment consistently for two to three months with no improvement
- The wart is painful or makes walking difficult
- It bleeds or changes color or shape
- It spreads or multiplies
- You are unsure if it is a wart or something else
See your provider before trying home treatment if you have:
- Diabetes
- Poor circulation
- Numbness in your feet
- A weakened immune system
These conditions increase the risk of foot problems. Your provider can recommend the safest treatments for you.
How long does it really take to remove a plantar wart?
Here's the honest truth: There's no quick fix. It usually takes weeks or even months to completely remove a plantar wart. Some go away faster but many don’t.
How long it takes depends on:
- Your age
- The size and depth of the wart
- Your immune system response
- How consistent treatment is
- Where the wart is on your foot
Additional tips to protect your feet
While you work through treatment, a few habits can help:
- Keep your feet clean and dry
- Wear shoes or sandals in public showers, locker rooms and pool decks
- Change your socks often, especially after exercise
- Do not touch or pick at the wart and wash your hands if you do touch it
- Cover the wart with a bandage to help prevent it from spreading
For more ways to keep your feet healthy, see our guide on everyday foot care tips.
Bottom line
A plantar wart isn't dangerous but it can cause pain and frustration. There's no quick fix but with the right plan and patience it can go away. If home treatment isn’t working or if you have a health condition that affects your feet, don't wait. See a Banner Health foot and ankle specialist who can help you find the right treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Are plantar warts contagious?
Yes. HPV can spread from person to person or from one part of your body to another. That's why you shouldn't share towels or shoes and you should keep the wart covered.
How do you know if you have a plantar wart or a callus?
Plantar warts often have black dots and can break normal skin lines. Calluses keep the skin lines intact and are usually less painful when squeezed from the sides.
What is the fastest way to remove a plantar wart?
There is no quick fix. Medical treatments such as cryotherapy or prescription medicines can help speed up the process but most warts usually take weeks or months to go away.
Can I safely remove a plantar wart at home?
Yes, but use proven treatments like salicylic acid or OTC freezing kits. Don't cut or pick at the wart.
Why does my plantar wart keep coming back?
The virus can stay on the skin or spread to nearby areas. Regular treatment and check-ups can help prevent it from coming back.
When should I stop treating a wart at home?
If the wart doesn’t get better after a few months or if it gets worse, hurts or spreads, see a health care provider. If you have a condition like diabetes, talk to your provider before trying any home treatments.
