Plantars Warts- The Causes and Treatments

Plantar's warts are caused by a virus that infects the skin. It typically requires close contact in order to become infected. These warts are fortunately not contracted through blood, only through skin to skin contact. Plantar warts are a type of wart known as verruca vulgaris. They receive their name when they are found on the bottom of the foot. The name comes from the location on the foot as opposed to the virus itself.

Plantars warts also occur more commonly on children than adults. I, however, did not have a plantars wart until the age of 20, and have had them ever since. It is somewhat of a nuisance, although it typically does not affect my health.

It is commonly misunderstood that these types of warts have roots.

Indeed, the wart may appear to have a root, however it is just small clusters of the wart beneath the top layer of the skin. The wart can only live inside of the skin, it doesn't go into the tissue. The reason the warts tend to appeare on the feet and stay there is because of the thick skin on the bottom of your foot.

These warts can be caused by exposure in just the right places. Public showers, bath tubs, and even swimming pools can often contain the bacteria that will cause plantars warts. Patrons should take precautions by always wearing flip flops or sandals in these areas.

Also, children should be discouraged from sharing shoes with one another. This is often a common practice, especially with girls. However, if girls swap sandles they are also most likely swapping funguses that could be found on their shoes. The best way to avoid contracting plantars warts is by avoiding shoe swapping and foot sweat or bacteria swapping.

There are several different methods of treatment. The bad news is, none of the treatments guarantee that the warts will not come back. Doctors may freeze, remove, or use lasers to temporarily remove the warts. However, there are also several suggested home remedies as well as over the counter medicines. Over the counter medicines for warts are often only a temporary fix. Even the doctoral solutions are often temporary, and much more expensive.

The most highly personal recommendation is to use a simple and cost-efficient home remedy. That's right, by using three or four items you most likely already have in your home, your chances of blasting out those warts are just as great as if you go toa doctor.

One recommended home remedy involves apple cider vinegar, (duct) tape and cotton buds or swabs. The goal of this remedy is basically to cut off the oxygen source to the wart, and the high acidic content of the vinegar cuts through to the root or the deepest part of the wart.

Simply soak the skin in the vinegar, or use a cotton swab. Apply the vinegar generously to make sure the entire area gets basically saturated. Cover the area witha cotton swab and then apply tape or duct tape to secure the cotton and prevent oxygen from getting into the area. This method will most likely sting at first and the warts will swell as well as turn red, but the warts will eventually turn black and be gone within a week.

Another home method involves just the use of duct tape. This method basically cuts off the oxygen supply and the adhesive on the tape causes the body to react and fight off the wart.

Basically, plantars warts need to get a little bit worse, before the body kicks into the action and fights them off. Because it is such a mild symptom, and only occurs within the skin, the body does not see plantars warts as any more of a threat than moles. Of course, for humans, plantars warts are not a huge threat, they are just annoying and most people would prefer not to have to see or have them.

The vinegar method is also said to work by swabbing vinegar over the wart with a q-tip for about one minute, 2-3 times daily.
The vinegar method is the most highly recommended home remedy mainly for the acidic content. This is also why apple cider vinegar is most highly recommended of the different types of vinegar.

Another recommendation is to use a can of air. It is similar to liquid nitrogen. This method is also more painful and cold. After spraying the wart five or six times, the area needs to be covered with a band-aid.

Clear nail polish is also a highly recommended cure for warts. Again, the nail polish cuts off the oxygen source to the wart. The trick with this method is reapplying. Because skin readily replaces itself, the nail polish needs to be reapplied 2-3 times a day for at least a week. Also, applying duct tape over the nail polish adds as an extra precaution to cut off oxygen. Also, by filing down the wart with a nail file (you're just removing a layer or two of skin) the apple cider has a better chance of getting to the root of the wart.

Another recommendation is beach sand. This method has been proven to work because the wart basically dries out. Warts need moisture and oxygen to live (just like any other living thing) and the sand causes a drying effect on your feet that keeps the wart from being able to survive. After a week or two walking through the sand your warts may just disappear.