Barbara enjoys writing about the things I love. Her hobbies include gardening, crochet, reading the Bible, cooking, and home remedies.

What is a Plantar Wart?

Do you have a plantar wart, and would like to get rid of it? According to the Mayo Clinic, these growths aren’t cancerous. They are caused by the human papillomavirus. HPV can cause different types of problems. There are 200 types of the virus, and it isn’t related to the HPV that causes cancer. A plantar wart can occur anytime there is a small break or cut in the skin on your feet.

They usually appear on the balls and heels of the foot. When they are small you might not even know you have one, but as they get larger they hurt when you walk. It often feels like there is something in the bottom of your shoe. As these warts grow, they might appear to be just a callous—but this is because a callous has formed over the wart to help protect your foot.

Home Remedy: Duct Tape

There are several routes you can take to get rid of the wart. I’ve had one removed by the doctor, and I can attest that the shot was more painful than the wart. The site healed quickly and it didn’t hurt that much after it was removed. Afterwards, another one appeared just a few months later. This isn’t unusual. The new wart was even larger than the previous one.

I discovered an easier and less painful way to get rid of the wart, and for me this was a permanent solution. When visiting the doctor for something else, I mentioned my new wart to the nurse, and she gave me some good advice. If you are a diabetic, though, you should always talk to your physician before trying anything new on your feet.

Instead of going through the pain of having it removed, just buy some duct tape. Take the tape and completely cover the area. Remove the tape every day and replace it. The idea is to smother out the wart.

The good news is this really works. I went to work one day and I could feel the piece of tape had come loose. I went into the bathroom and the tape hadn’t come loose, instead the entire plantar wart had come off. Since then, I have never gotten another.

Try this easy technique and you should be able to get rid of the plantar wart. Since then, the show “The Doctors” has recommended trying this for any type of wart.

Two More Home Remedies to Try

1. Vitamin E. My brother-in-law treated his plantar wart with Vitamin E, and after about a month it was gone. This is well worth trying, too. He kept it covered with a band-aid and reapplied it every morning.

2. Vinegar is another home cure that many say works. The skin softens and the wart eventually dissolves. It is literally pickled. You'll need to soak the foot in vinegar mixed with water for about 20 minutes a day. After soaking, use an old toothbrush and brush away the old skin. Then apply a band-aid.

by jenjen95062, Youtube

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Comments

Lucy Diffey on October 07, 2019:

I have had a plantar wart for 10 months and the duck Tape remedy WORKED

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on October 03, 2016:

Keely,I used this technique myself and it worked for me. With the tape, it is easy and without pain.

Keely on September 23, 2016:

I have 2 on my foot and my mom said my brother had one one time and got a normal wood pencil and burned the led and stuck it on it while it was hot, well I said no I think I will look for another idea and try and I found this so thank you for saving me from the pain.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on June 21, 2016:

I think just the duct tape should work for you. That is all I needed and you don't want to spread it by shaving it.

Savannah Leigh Al on June 17, 2016:

My hubby says that I have a planters wart but it is underneath the skin. This is my first wart ever and I'm under a ton of stress...it's almost like a callus has grown over it. Every time I shave it off and comes back thicker..I hate pain and refuse to get needles or it cut out by doctors. Do you think the duct tape will help Evernote though it's under the skin? Should I use any other wart remover stuff along with the duct tape or just straight duct tape? Some days it hurts more then others. I put hydrogen peroxide and vinegar mix on a cotton ball every night but it's made my whole toe Crack and peal around the sore. Please let me know!!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 20, 2014:

You need to call your doctor for his advice. I'm not a medical professional. Sorry I don't know the answer to this. It sounds like you are about finished with your problem though.

Cookie on March 20, 2014:

Its Ok I Just Nwes More Advice I Used The Medicine the Doctors Gave Me And My Wart Peeled Off And Puss Came out No Blood I'm Not Sure What To Do Next

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 15, 2014:

Cookie, I am sorry to hear that. I'm surprised it hasn't gone away and now you have to go through this. I'd call the doctor. You shouldn't be in pain like this. I am wondering if it isn't something else.

Cookie on March 14, 2014:

I'm in pain yesterday I burst into tears the pains just gone worse doctors have me salactol

Cookie on February 22, 2014:

Ok thanks I'm not sure it's out yet but I'll keep continuing the process

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on February 21, 2014:

Cookie, It might not be completely gone yet if you have a yellowing color around it. Try putting the tape on that. It sounds like you've about got it though. I didn't have a hole, but mine might have been smaller.

Cookie on February 21, 2014:

It looked like it came off today when I removed the duct tape I could see a yellowy little blob nearly coming out so I got tweezers pulled it gently out wasn't painfully but has it come out I do see a hole in the position it was situated but the skin around it is a yellowy colour I hop it's gone :)

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on February 11, 2014:

Cookie, It takes a couple of weeks at least. Maybe as long as 3. The tape shouldn't have made a hole unless the plantar wart is gone. If it is more painful than when the wart was there, maybe you should see a doctor. I didn't have a hole when mine fell off.

Cookie on February 11, 2014:

I tried it but it didn't work it's just really painful and has a big hole

Keshola on February 11, 2014:

Oh Thanks it just hurts a lot I think it's because the tapes pulling the wart put it doesn't hurt when I walk on it its when I lift my foot up.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on February 09, 2014:

Keshola, It doesn't hurt at all. I was at work and I thought the tape had come loose. Yes, you can see it on the tape, but it doesn't look like much of anything.

Keshola on February 09, 2014:

When it Falls Off Does It Hurt? And Do You See The actual Wart

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on February 09, 2014:

Keshola, I had to look up what a verruca was. It is the same thing as a plantar wart, so yes it would work. Just keep using the tape until it falls off.

Keshola on February 09, 2014:

I removed the duct tape today and it hurt a lot but signs if improvement I see holes developing and I put on fresh socks every day to make sure the duct tape doesn't come off one question does it work on verrucas ?

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on February 06, 2014:

Yes it does. The idea is not to let it get any air. It needs that to survive.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on February 06, 2014:

If it is on your foot it is probably a plantar wart. The tape works for any kind anyways.

Keshola on February 06, 2014:

Does It Work On All Warts ?

Nicole on February 05, 2014:

The Thing is as well I don't know which wart I have it looks like a planta but the black dots gone

Nicole on February 04, 2014:

Oh thank God ! Thanks Sandra !

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on February 04, 2014:

Nichole, Yes you can put duct tape on both. This method worked for me and I hope it will work for you.

Nicole on February 04, 2014:

Haii I'm 10 and I'm tired of this plantar wart and I Heard it normally affects children more than adults and when I researched online how to get rid of them most of them were painful but I found this remedy and hopefully it works I'll Try it tomorrow thanks Sandra ! The only thing is if you have 2 warts on one foot can you put a duct tape on each wart?

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on September 10, 2013:

faythef, It is good to hear I helped someone. I wish all medical problems were this easy. Thanks for commenting.

Faythe Payne from USA on September 09, 2013:

I tried the duct tape and it worked..It took about 3 weeks..But, its been several months now and no sign of it coming back..Yea!!! thank you

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on June 01, 2013:

Terri, I had shots in my foot when I had mine done and it hurt terrible. If it wasn't for the shots, it wouldn't have been so bad. A nurse told me to use the duct tape and it worked for me, but it took 2 or 3 weeks. Good luck.

Terri Maxim on June 01, 2013:

This sounds like what I have been looking for. I am going to try it starting today and we shall see. I truly hope it works. I don't want to go to the Dr. and have dry ice put on it or whatever they decide to do this time around. Thanks so much for the idea.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on April 24, 2013:

It worked for me. Try it, because it is easy and having it removed at the doctor's office is painful. The shot is what hurts.

lala on April 24, 2013:

It sounds like a good

Idea so I'm goin to try it

Hope it works.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on August 29, 2012:

Ashley, No, you put the duct tape right on your skin.

Ashley White on August 29, 2012:

Do you have to put a band-aid under the ducttape?

Wilfre on April 28, 2012:

Soo cool have like 5-8 warts on my foot from swimming sooo going to try this THANKS SOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on April 21, 2012:

Cookie, It worked for me, so give it a try.

Cookie on April 21, 2012:

Ugh I hate warts. This method sounds pretty painless so I think I'll try it!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on April 18, 2012:

frogyfish, Thanks for reading. Duct tape can come in handy.

frogyfish from Central United States of America on April 18, 2012:

My goodness, amazing result with that famous duct tape! This is one to remember, but hope I never have to use it.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on April 17, 2012:

heidi, If it worked for you, it may work for others. 3 days isn't long, so maybe others can try it.

heidi on April 17, 2012:

I've frozen them with liquid nightrogen tried store compound W treatments, only thing that brought relief (sounds discusting) was a small piece of salt pork placed over the wart, bandaid then duct tape to secure it.. leave on for 3 days. Then take it off. They also say remove it on the night of a full moon n feed to ur neighbors dog. Umm forgot to check moon chart n I didn't want to walk around my neighborhood looking for dogs.. it brought so much relief. I Thot the ppl who told me were crazy, but its the only relief I've found.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on April 17, 2012:

Trisha, For you sake I hope this works. It did for me, so it should for you too.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on April 17, 2012:

Brett, You can take it off while you are the shower and just replace the duct tape after you get out. That little space of time isn't going to matter.

Trisha on April 16, 2012:

I am 13 and I've been having a problem with planter warts. I will most definitaley have to try this. I had to have my planter warts frozen over and over again. I had my wart being frozen every other week from autumn to late winter a few years ago and it didn't work. They went away momentarily until one day, I felt pain as I was walking. I looked on my big toe and thought, "O, great, not again!" So I did some research on a less painful way without having to go to the doctors. I will have try this method. :)

The Brett on April 16, 2012:

What about showers and things?

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on April 04, 2012:

Samel, I didn't see any differnce either until the thing completely fell off. Don't worry. Just be patient. Thanks for commenting.

Samel on April 03, 2012:

I have one and I've had duck tape on t for a least 5 day and see no different and yah

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 27, 2012:

Leslie, It worked for me. Just be patient and it should fall off. The idea I think is it smothers it. Leave the duct tape on all of the time. Replace it every so often, but put new tape on right away.

Leslie on March 27, 2012:

Wow! Been trying the freezing and acid pads. Was going to call the foot clinic tomorrow to make an appointment to have them removed. Sounds like I don't want the numbing shots. I am definitely going to give this a try. I guess duct tape will fix anything! Thanks so much!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 18, 2012:

Sandra, Yes we do. I've searched for some for other problems and some work and some don't. This works, because I tried it.

Sandra Busby from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA on March 18, 2012:

We need more remedies like this one. Thanks for SHARING. Sandra Busby

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 07, 2012:

Just keep the tape on. It will eventually smother it out. You don't want to go through the shots again. Thanks for commenting.

bt on March 07, 2012:

I've tried it for about a week now the warts are turning white but still hasent came off hope it works I've had the shot 5 times

Sarah on March 03, 2012:

I'm a swimmer and I have one on my toe. Thanks for this!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on January 23, 2012:

What hurts is the shot they put into your foot to numb it before they remove the wart. The foot is a very sensitive area.

Rosher on January 22, 2012:

Thank you I thout I would have to go through a tremendous amount of pain!!!???

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on January 04, 2012:

James, Thanks for commenting. I guess this idea has been around for awhile. I just discovered it when I needed it and it worked.

Jameshank from Japan, NY, California on January 04, 2012:

Thanks for sharing this information. This certainly is a surprising way of using duct tape.

Smokes Angel from Broke Alabama on December 03, 2011:

I remember when this happened mom. It is a very useful idea and really works.

Rachael on November 01, 2011:

we swimmers get them a lot thanks for the advise NO MORE ICE!!!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on October 17, 2011:

infonlan, Thanks for commenting. Maybe if you tried both at the same time, it would work really fast. Who knows?

infonolan on October 16, 2011:

I've had numerous plantar warts on my feet and have been soaking them in apple cider vinegar 3 days a week for about 3 hours each day I do it. I'd heard about duct tape but have never actually tried it. Definitely should as it sounds like it works. May be even more effective than the ACV.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on October 13, 2011:

lubybell21, I've heard about the apple cider and that it will work for regular warts. Thank goodness I don't have a plantar wart to try it on.

Bonny OBrien from Troy, N.Y. on October 12, 2011:

This is really interesting. My granddaughter has this problem. I put organic apple cider vinegar on a folded up paper towel and secured it to her foot, it takes a few days but it works. She hates the smell. She would love your idea better!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on August 07, 2011:

someone, It seems like it was 2-3 weeks, but I can't remember since I did it about 11 years ago. I first had one and had it removed by the doctor and it came back, but using this technique, I've never had one again.

someone..... on August 07, 2011:

how long does it take to come off? i would like to know as soon as i could. thanks!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 07, 2011:

b.Malin, Thanks for reading and commenting.

b. Malin on March 07, 2011:

Great Hub! I had read about using Duck Tape, for regular warts as well...Thanks for sharing a lot of useful information.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 07, 2011:

Sweetsusieg, I guess you should be happy he didn't give you the shot in the foot. That was so painful, I'd never do it again. There are a lot of nerve endings in your feet. I'm happy to hear it finally gave up on you though.

Sweetsusieg from Michigan on March 07, 2011:

I suffered for years with one of these little devils!! I'd go to the Dr. he'd shave off the callous, after a while I started doing it myself, I guess it got tired of trying to grow back.... No other treatment was suggested at that time. I wish I'd have known about the duct tape then!!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 06, 2011:

Sharyn, I hope it works for you. It sure beats any other treatment.

Sharon Smith from Northeast Ohio USA on March 06, 2011:

Plantar Warts are certainly a pain. I've had them done with dry ice at the doctor's office, tried dry ice myself, used those little medicated acid pads, liquid wart removal, etc. I'd much rather try duct tape. Thanks so much!