How to Get Rid of a Wart at the Bottom of Your Foot

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Do you have a small, rough growth on your heel or the bottom of your toe? It could be a plantar wart. They usually aren't a serious health concern and typically go away on their own. If you find it embarrassing or uncomfortable, you can usually get rid of it yourself with diligent care. This does take a bit of patience—there aren't really any instant fixes. But if months go by and nothing you try seems to work, see your doctor to explore medical options to remove it. [1]

1

Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes to soften the skin.

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    The pressure of walking on your feet causes a thickened layer of skin to build up over the plantar wart. Soaking your feet in warm water makes this excess skin easier to remove. [2]
    • You can try adding Epsom salts or baking soda to the water—2 home remedies to soften and get rid of calluses .
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2

Use a pumice stone to slough off the callus.

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    You can buy a pumice stone at a pharmacy or wherever personal care products are sold—they're relatively inexpensive. After soaking your feet and drying them thoroughly, simply rub the pumice stone over the dry skin to exfoliate it. [3]
    • Don't do this if you have diabetes or peripheral neuropathy. Because of your reduced sensitivity, you might end up damaging the surrounding tissue. [4]
    • Keep in mind the pumice stone won't completely remove the plantar wart, since it's mostly under your skin. However, it helps get rid of the dry skin that's built up over top of the wart, which makes the wart easier to treat and less painful in the meantime.
    • Once you use a pumice stone on a plantar wart, only use it for that purpose. If you also use it on healthy skin, you risk spreading the virus that causes plantar warts. [5]
    EXPERT TIP

    Chris M. Matsko, MD

    Family Medicine Physician
    Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician

    Never pick at a wart or attempt to cut it out by yourself. A pumice stone is the recommended option if you want to try removing it naturally.

3

Apply a thin layer of salicylic acid lotion or gel.

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    Wash your feet, soak them, then exfoliate the hard skin over the plantar wart with a pumice stone. This allows the salicylic acid to penetrate the plantar wart. Allow the lotion or gel to dry completely before you cover your foot or walk around. [6]
    • Salicylic acid is most commonly found in anti-acne treatments, but there are some products made specifically to treat warts. The salicylic acid products for feet typically have a higher percentage of salicylic acid, so you'll probably have better results with them.
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4

Cover the wart to prevent it from spreading.

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    Covering the wart keeps it from spreading the virus to other parts of your foot. It also helps you avoid spreading the virus to others through indirect contact. [7]
    • It can be difficult to keep a bandage on the bottom of your foot, so you'll need to check it periodically and replace it if it starts to come off.
    • You might also try using silver duct tape to cover the wart. It might sound ridiculous, and scientists aren't quite sure why this might work, or even if it does. But it's so low-tech and inexpensive, it's worth a try! [8]
5

Try over-the-counter wart removers.

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    Brands include Compound W Freeze Off and Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away. [9] In general, these don't get as cold as cryotherapy done by a medical professional and work less than half the time. [10] However, if you don't want to seek medical treatment, they might be worth a try.
    • Many wart removers are very flammable. Don't use them around an open flame or any heat source, such as a curling iron. [11]
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6

Protect your feet to keep the virus from spreading.

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    The virus that causes plantar warts thrives in moist areas. Any time you're in a moist environment, cover the soles of your feet. [12]
    • Do what you can to keep your feet clean and dry. That might mean washing your feet more than twice a day—just make sure they're completely dry before you put on socks or shoes.
    • While you're dealing with a plantar wart, try to wear open shoes or sandals that won't trap moisture. If that's not an option for you, rotate your shoes so that the insides have time to dry out between wears.
7

See your doctor if self-care treatments aren't working.

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    They'll likely ask you questions about whether it's changed in size or appearance and might refer you to a specialist (a podiatrist or dermatologist) to have it tested. Then, they'll recommend an appropriate course of treatment. Medical treatments include: [13]
    • Prescription-strength salicylic acid medication
    • Cryotherapy (freezing the wart off using liquid nitrogen)
    • Laser treatment
    • HPV vaccine
    • Surgery
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What if my feet are itchy?
    Catherine Cheung, DPM
    Board Certified Podiatrist
    Dr. Catherine Cheung is a double board-certified Podiatrist based in San Francisco, California. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Cheung specializes in all aspects of foot and ankle care, including complex reconstruction, injury treatment, custom orthotics, bunion surgery, and all general foot and ankle issues. Dr. Cheung is affiliated with the Brown & Toland Physicians and the Sutter Medical Network. She received her BS from UCLA. She earned a DPM from the California College of Podiatric Medicine, completed her residency at the Encino Tarzana Medical Center, and completed a fellowship at the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center. She is double board-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive/Ankle Surgery.
    Catherine Cheung, DPM
    Board Certified Podiatrist
    Expert Answer
    If your feet are itchy, it's likely because your feet aren't getting enough air. Try switching to a more breathable set of shoes or sandals. Avoid wearing the same set of shoes two days in a row, and don't wear nylon socks. Take your socks and shoes off when you get home to let your feet get some air. If you have any antifungal powder, sprinkle some in your shoes to see if they stop itching.
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  • Question
    Is it bad to pick at my own wart?
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Expert Answer
    I would not pick at a wart as this might make it bleed. I would use a pumice to remove it naturally.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    What happens if I try to cut the wart out on my own?
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Expert Answer
    This is very dangerous. I would not do this. You need to see a podiatrist to make sure that you are being treated properly.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Because plantar warts show up on the bottom of your feet they get flattened over time, so they might appear more like a callous than a wart. Give it the squeeze test to make sure—if it's painful when you squeeze it, it's a plantar wart, not a callous. [14]
        Thanks
      • The key to success with any over-the-counter product is to use it daily! Make it a part of your routine. It could take several weeks or even a couple of months for the product to work its magic, so be patient. [15]
        Thanks
      • There are many other home remedies that people swear by for getting rid of warts, although none of them have been proven effective in clinical studies. Since warts often go away without any treatment, it might be that people thought the treatment worked when really the wart just went away on its own. [16]
        Thanks
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-warts/symptoms-causes/syc-20352691
      2. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/how-to-get-rid-of-warts
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-warts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352697
      4. ↑ Catherine Cheung, DPM. Board Certified Podiatrist. Expert Interview. 21 April 2019.
      5. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/warts-heal
      6. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/how-to-get-rid-of-warts
      7. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/warts-heal
      8. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/how-to-get-rid-of-warts
      9. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-warts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352697
      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6002322/
      2. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-warts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352697
      3. ↑ https://www.iowaclinic.com/primary-care/best-ways-get-rid-plantar-warts/
      4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-warts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352697
      5. ↑ https://www.iowaclinic.com/primary-care/best-ways-get-rid-plantar-warts/
      6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/weird-wart-home-remedies-and-what-works/
      7. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/warts-self-care
      8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-warts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352697
      9. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/warts-heal
      10. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/warts-heal
      11. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/how-to-get-rid-of-warts
      12. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-warts/symptoms-causes/syc-20352691
      13. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/how-to-get-rid-of-warts
      14. ↑ Catherine Cheung, DPM. Board Certified Podiatrist. Expert Interview. 21 April 2019.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get relief from a wart on the bottom of your foot, try rubbing the wart down with a pumice stone after soaking it in warm water for 15-20 minutes. You can also gradually strip away the callous and underlying wart by applying salicylic acid treatments over several days. For a more natural alternative, put some apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and use a bandage to keep it on the wart overnight for several days in a row. However, keep in mind that there’s not a lot of scientific evidence that apple cider vinegar can help with warts. Scroll down for more advice from our Medical co-author, including how to get medical treatment for your wart!

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