
What does a plantar wart look like?
The wart may appear yellowed, with a crust, or even have a black spot in the middle. In some cases, a plantar wart will resolve naturally. Other cases may require treatment. You can treat a plantar wart a few different ways, either by seeing your doctor or treating the wart at home. Treatments include:
How to get rid of a plantar wart?
Both require multiple treatments over several weeks to get rid of the wart or warts. Salicylic acid is available over the counter. You can use it at home. Follow the directions on the packaging, and expect to apply the medication for at least 12 weeks. found that treating a plantar wart at home was just as effective as treatment by a doctor.
What does a wart look like when it dies?
The wart will occasionally swell up to twice its size or more depending on the type of treatment used. During this stage, you may experience a mild stinging to dull throbbing pain. Don’t worry, the pain won’t last long and will go away about the time the wart dies. 2. Turns Black And Dry Your wart will start to turn black and look very dry.
Should I talk to my doctor about my plantar wart symptoms?
If you suspect you have a plantar wart, you should check in with your doctor. It can be hard to tell how much the wart has grown beneath the skin. You should definitely see your doctor if the wart is causing you pain or spreading to another location.

What does a planters wart look like when it comes out?
Plantar warts often look like circular spots of thick, callused skin. These spots will typically have tiny black dots on the surface, which are actually bits of dried blood. Plantar warts are usually flat and grow inwards as pressure from walking is applied to them. This often leads to pain.
How do you know when a wart is gone salicylic acid?
Salicylic Acid Wart Treatment File the area until all the white, dead skin is removed without causing discomfort or pain.
How long does salicylic acid take to remove plantar warts?
Apply the medicine one drop at a time to completely cover each wart, corn, or callus. Let dry. For warts—Repeat one or two times a day as needed for up to 12 weeks, or as directed by your doctor, until wart is removed.
How do I know when to stop treating a Plantars wart?
If the warts become sore, stop the treatment for a few days. If you don't see much progress after 2 to 3 weeks, try leaving the tape on until noon, or even longer. Stubborn warts may need to be covered continuously with tape for 5 days. Leave medicine off for 2 days.
How do you know when a wart is about to fall off?
The location of the wart and the thickness of the skin around the wart will determine how long it takes for the blister to form. The blister may be either clear or filled with blood. Sometimes a crust or scab may form instead. After 4 to 7 days, the blister will break, dry up and fall off.
Do warts turn black before falling off?
The skin on the wart may turn black in the first 1 to 2 days, which might signal that the skin cells in the wart are dying. The wart might fall off within 1 to 2 weeks.
Why do warts turn white with salicylic acid?
Since it's an acid, avoid getting any near the eyes or mouth. Also try to keep it off the normal skin. The acid will turn the wart into dead skin (it will turn white).
Will a plantar wart leave a hole?
After a few weeks of therapy, the wart will be dead - dry and calloused looking- and the whole thing will come out in the bath with some gentle rubbing like a button. Be prepared: there will be a deep hole in the bottom of your child's foot where the wart comes out and it looks really freaky!
What happens if you leave salicylic acid on overnight?
It is advised by some skincare experts that using a salicylic acid product overnight enables the ingredient to work without being disturbed with the exposure to free radicals, such as pollution or UV rays.
What do black dots in warts mean?
Why Do Some Warts Have Black Dots in Them? If you look closely, many skin warts contain a number of black dots that resemble little seeds. These specks are visible blood vessels that are supplying the wart with nutrients and oxygen.
Is Compound W supposed to turn white?
Official answer. Yes, this is normal. Salicylic acid (the active ingredient in Compound W) is a keratolytic agent and works by peeling off the outer layers of the skin. This can look unsightly and by all means cover it but it is not entirely necessary.
How does salicylic acid work on plantar warts?
Salicylic acid works to remove warts by exfoliating the skin cells until the wart is gone. The acid may also trigger an immune response to build healthy skin cells in the area. With continued daily application, the salicylic acid solution will often remove the wart.
What are plantar warts?
While warts on your hands and other parts of your body can have a wide variation in how they look, plantar warts on your feet have a more consistent appearance. 2 They are usually round and you can mistake them for a corn or callus. Plantar warts are usually flat rather than raised because they are covered by the top layer of the tough skin ...
Why are my plantar warts flat?
Plantar warts are usually flat rather than raised because they are covered by the top layer of the tough skin of the sole of your foot. But they might also have a rough, grainy surface texture. The little black dots near the center of the wart are the blood supply to the wart. Warts can occur singly or you may have them in clusters.
What is the wart on the bottom of my foot?
Knowing what plantar warts look like can help you figure out what to do next for a painful spot on the bottom of your foot. It could be the common foot wart, also called plantar verruca. 1 While you may benefit from getting checked out by a doctor, these photos and explanations may help you get a better sense of whether it is likely ...
Where do warts appear?
Warts can occur singly or you may have them in clusters. They can stay small or you can get a giant plantar wart. Often, they appear on the heel or ball of your foot where you place your weight when standing or walking. 1 .
Can you see a black dot on a wart?
No dots, no blood supply. Painful when pushed on directly. If your wart is well-defined, interrupts the natural skin lines, and you can see a black dot, that will help you determine it isn't just a callus. 1 .
Can warts be in different spots?
Multiple warts can appear as distinct warts in different spots, or they can be grouped together in a cluster, which is called a mosaic wart. A large cluster of warts can be very painful and make it uncomfortable to walk or run. 3 It's also more difficult to treat a larger cluster to eliminate them.
What Are Plantar Warts?
Plantar warts are warts that develop on plantar surfaces -- that is, the soles (or bottom) of the feet. Normal standing and walking tends to force them into the skin, and the pressure causes pain to the affected area. Calluses formed by the body’s attempt to prevent spread of warts can also cause pain when walking.
What Causes Plantar Warts?
Plantar warts, like all warts, are caused by a virus that invades the skin through tiny cuts or scrapes. The warts may not appear for weeks or months after the initial exposure. Like other viral infections, plantar warts are contagious, commonly spread in public swimming pools, communal showers, or even your shower at home.
How do you know if you have a plantar wart?
One of the first symptoms you may notice is pain or tenderness when putting pressure on your foot while walking. Once the wart has formed, you’ll see a circular flat spot on the skin with a depressed area in the middle.
How to prevent plantar warts?
To prevent a plantar wart, consider the following tips: 1 Always cover your feet in shared community spaces, such as pools, locker rooms, or dorms. 2 Ask your doctor about receiving the HPV vaccine, which may help prevent warts, though more research is needed. 3 If you have a wart, change your shoes and socks daily. 4 Keep the wart covered, and wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading plantar warts to other people.
How to get rid of a wart on your arm?
laser therapy to burn off the blood vessels that feed the wart. alternative treatments, such as essential oils. Salicylic acid cream and liquid nitrogen are the most common treatments. Both require multiple treatments over several weeks to get rid of the wart or warts. Salicylic acid is available over the counter.
What is the name of the wart on the bottom of the foot?
Plantar warts are common warts that affect the bottom of the feet. Most people will have one at some point in their lives. Plantar warts , officially named verrucae warts, are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically types 1, 2, 4, 60, and 63. The virus attacks the skin on the bottom of the feet.
How long does salicylic acid last?
You can use it at home. Follow the directions on the packaging, and expect to apply the medication for at least 12 weeks. One study. Trusted Source. found that treating a plantar wart at home was just as effective as treatment by a doctor.
How long does it take to heal a plantar wart?
Recovering from a plantar wart. Most treatments for plantar warts take at least several weeks. The most important thing to remember when treating a wart is consistency. Plantar warts can be difficult to eliminate and they have a tendency to return, so you want to be sure to follow your treatment plan carefully.
What is the best way to get rid of a wart?
salicylic acid cream, a topical cream that can “burn” off the wart. liquid nitrogen, which can be used to “freeze” off the wart. curettage, which involves cutting out the wart. medicine applied directly to the wart. laser therapy to burn off the blood vessels that feed the wart.
How to use salicylic acid wart remover?
Salicylic acid ointment: Clean the affected area with warm water and apply salicylic acid wart remover ointment containing about 60% concentrated acid onto the area. In a few minutes, your skin will dry out and then you can proceed to the application of the ointment.
How long do wart pads stay on?
The pads must stay on your skin for about two days. After two days, remove the paste and steam warts in warm water. Use pumice stone to remove dead layers of the skin.
What causes warts to grow?
HPV or human papillomaviruses are the cause of warts. They grow unboundedly and spread through direct physical contact with the infected parts or objects that infected person uses. The different kinds of warts treated by salicylic acid are flat warts, genital warts, senile warts, and common warts.
What is the best cream for warts?
salicylic acid cream for warts treatment. plasters impregnated with this acid for warts treatment. salicylic acid gel for warts. You should apply any of these wart removers only topically. At this point, you might be curious to know how salicylic acid works on warts.
Why do warts leave your body?
They take a long time to leave your body. However, the true reason for warts infection is weak immunity of the affected body. Also, if your body parts are excessively sweaty, it leads to vegetative outgrowth, and, sometimes, acrocyanosis.
Is cryotherapy effective for wart removal?
There are surgical interventions for advanced cases, as there are laser and cryotherapy methods for comparatively benign cases. All these methods are effective for warts removal. However, there is a common theme in all of these wart removal treatments.
What is a plantar wart?
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: A plantar wart is a thick, rough skin growth on the bottom of your foot. Plantar warts are benign (not cancer) and they are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a germ that spreads through direct contact. It usually enters the skin through cuts or scratches on the bottom of your feet.
How to prevent a plantar wart?
If you do touch your wart, wash your hands. Do not walk barefoot in public places. Wear shower shoes or sandals in warm, damp areas such as locker rooms, shower stalls, and swimming pool areas. Keep your feet clean and dry.
How to get rid of a wart on your foot?
Soak your foot in warm water for up to 20 minutes. Apply a small amount of salicylic acid directly to your wart. Avoid getting it on other skin areas, because it may irritate healthy skin. Let it dry, and cover the wart as directed. After several hours, use a pumice stone or nail file to gently remove dead skin.
How to remove dead skin from warts?
After several hours, use a pumice stone or nail file to gently remove dead skin. Use 2 times each day for as long as directed. A plaster patch is also available over-the-counter. Cut the patch to the size of your wart. Apply the sticky side to the wart. After 1 to 2 days, peel the patch off and apply a fresh patch.
How long should you leave liquid nitrogen on a wart?
Use only as directed. Duct tape can help dry and remove the wart. Use as directed. You may be directed to leave the duct tape on for 6 days.
Does a wart go away after treatment?
Your wart returns or does not go away after treatment. Your wart grows larger or begins to spread or cluster. You have bleeding or increased pain after treatment. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
How to remove warts from skin?
Wash your hands with warm soapy water after every contact with salicylic acid. Removing warts at home by using salicylic acid should be routine and straightforward. Repeat the procedure every night until warts disappear. The acid may cause the skin to discolor to a dark complexion, but that is normal.
What happens if you get a wart on your arm?
Your wart will start to turn black and look very dry. At this stage, the skin that contains the virus starts to die. Once the wart is completely black, your pain is almost completely gone except for some mild irritation in the surrounding area.
What to do if salicylic acid is not working?
If salicylic acid is not working for your warts, then you can try other available options. Cryotherapy is the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze away the wart. The doctor sprays the affected area until the wart disappears. Surgical removal using electric currents and laserjets are also frequent.
How to remove dry acid residue from skin?
In the morning, remove the dry acid residue using a file or pumice stone. The last is the salicylic acid warts pad removal. After the sterilization and filing, apply the pad on the skin wart surface. Leave it for about two days then remove it. Soak the pad in warm water before removing it.
Why does my wart swell?
This is because the virus in the skin is irritated by the applied treatment. The wart will occasionally swell up to twice its size or more depending on the type of treatment used.
Can you use salicylic acid on warts?
The virus can easily infect another person who uses it. When the filing is over, you can apply the salicylic acid on the skin wart surface. There are three types of salicylic acid products which you can use. The salicylic acid ointment is commonly effective in wart removal.
Does salicylic acid remove warts?
The stages of wart removal using salicylic acid are simple if you follow them in detail. But if salicylic acid does not work for your warts, seek medical advice. Doctor, author and fitness enthusiast, Ahmed Zayed, MD, is a surgery resident with a passion for helping people live a happy healthy life.
What does a genital wart look like?
They may look like small, scattered, skin-colored bumps or like a cluster of bumps similar to a little bit of cauliflower on your genitals. And they can spread, even if you can't see them.
How to get rid of warts on skin?
Over-the-counter gels, liquids, and pads with salicylic acid work by peeling away the dead skin cells of the wart to gradually dissolve it. For better results, soak the wart in warm water, then gently sand it with a disposable emery board before you apply the product. Be sure to use a new emery board each time.
How do warts spread?
How They Spread. Warts are highly contagious and are mainly passed by direct skin contact, such as when you pick at your warts and then touch another area of your body. You can also spread them with things like towels or razors that have touched a wart on your body or on someone else's.
Why do kids get warts?
Your Body Plays Defense. Kids and teens get more warts than adults because their immune systems haven't built up defenses against the many types of HPV.
Why are plantar warts called mosaic warts?
You may have just one or a cluster (called mosaic warts). Because they're flat, tough, and thick, it's easy to confuse them with calluses.
How long does it take for warts to go away?
Over time, your body will often build up a resistance and fight warts off. But it may take months or as many as 2 years for them to disappear. In adults, warts often stick around even longer, perhaps several years or more. Some warts won't ever go away. Doctors aren't sure why some do and others don't.
What is the best treatment for genital warts?
Bleomycin, a cancer drug, may stop infected cells from making more. Interferon boosts your immune system to better fight the HPV, typically for genital warts. These usually aren't the first things your doctor will try, and you may need to use salicylic acid or duct tape on your wart, too. Stop the Spread.
Where do plantar warts appear?
plantar warts: appear on the bottoms of the feet. subungual and periungual warts: appear underneath the toenails and fingernails. Salicylic acid is a safe treatment for common warts and plantar warts, but it should not be used to treat warts on the face, neck, or genitals.
How to get rid of a wart on your skin?
Apply salicylic acid after getting out of the shower or bath. Dry the skin off so it’s still damp and apply. This will help the treatment sink in more effectively. An alternative to application after the shower or bath is to soak the wart in warm water for five minutes.
How much salicylic acid is in compound W?
A common brand name is Compound W. These products usually contain about 17 percent salicylic acid. However, some companies sell 40 percent salicylic acid treatments for foot and plantar warts. Here are some tips for at-home salicylic acid wart removal: Apply salicylic acid after getting out of the shower or bath.
What is the best way to remove a wart?
If salicylic acid isn’t working. If salicylic acid doesn’t seem to be removing the wart effectively, there are other professional treatments for wart removal. One example is cryotherapy. This treatment involves exposing the wart to liquid nitrogen in a doctor’s office to freeze the wart off.
Why is salicylic acid used for wart removal?
Doctors call salicylic acid a “keratolytic” medication because it has exfoliating properties . When applied to the skin, the acid can remove the outer layer of skin cells. This is not only useful in fighting acne blemishes, but also in wart removal.
What is the best treatment for warts?
Wart removal one layer at a time. Salicylic acid is a first-line treatment for non-genital warts. It’s an inexpensive and effective treatment, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. The treatment can provide good results when applied regularly.
Does salicylic acid cause redness?
These may include intense redness or discomfort. Salicylic acid side effects. Body: While salicylic acid for warts is a generally mild treatment, it can cause some side effects. These include skin irritation, discolored skin, and discomfort at the site of the wart.
How long does it take for a wart to heal after laser surgery?
The site may feel mildly tender for up to 2 weeks. Downtime: The duration of the recovery period after laser surgery depends on the wart’s size, distribution and location. Downtime is minimal if it is small and away from the plantar areas or other frequently compressed sites. Otherwise, recovery will take a few weeks.
How long does it take for a wart to dry up after cantharidin?
The wart will dry up a week after the treatment. Your doctor can clip the dead wart on follow up if it has not fallen off by then. Complications are rare after cantharidin treatment, but call your dermatologist if you experience severe bleeding, itchiness or pain. Resistant warts will require multiple sessions.
How long does it take for a bleomycin injection to be done?
What to expect: Your dermatologist will clean the site and inject an anti-cancer drug into the wart. It should take only a few minutes. Brief, pinpoint bleeding may occur. Bleomycin injection does not require pretreatment preparations.
How long does it take to recover from a wart excision?
Downtime: Recovery from wart excision depends on the lesion’s size, shape and location. You may be advised to avoid strenuous activities for 2-4 weeks to avoid trauma to the site. You may use crutches to relieve the pressure from plantar excisions.
How far apart should you dry up a wart?
Bleomycin responses vary, but most patients require at least 4 sessions spaced 3-4 weeks apart. Drying up of the wart indicates that the treatment is effective. The table below compares the recovery processes of the different office wart treatments that we just described. Wart Removal Procedure.
How long does it take for a dermatologist to remove warts?
What to expect: Your dermatologist will use a powerful light beam to break down the wart’s blood vessels. Each session takes about 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the problem’s severity.
Why is smoking bad for warts?
Smoking, because it introduces free radicals and other toxins that can delay recovery.
