Debunking the 3 Biggest Plantar Wart Myths

You step out of the shower and feel a sharp pain on the bottom of your foot. It feels like a pebble is permanently stuck in your heel. You look closely, see a rough patch of skin, and head straight to the pharmacy for a DIY freezing kit.

Weeks later, the "pebble" is still there, and the pain is worse.

Plantar Warts (caused by the Human Papillomavirus or HPV) are notoriously stubborn. Because they grow inward on the sole of your foot, they are highly resistant to home remedies. It’s time to separate fact from fiction! Read on for The Foot & Ankle Center of Maryland’s list of the top three plantar wart myths worth busting…and the truth behind them as well!

Myth 1: "Duct tape will eventually kill the root."

The "duct tape occlusion" method is one of the most famous internet life hacks. The theory is that wrapping the wart in duct tape will "suffocate" the virus or stimulate an immune response.

The Truth: Clinical studies have proven this is largely ineffective for plantar warts.

·      Because plantar warts are pushed deep into the dermis by your body weight, a piece of tape on the surface does absolutely nothing to the root of the virus.

·       It just leaves you with sticky, macerated skin.

Myth 2: "Drugstore freezing kits work as well as the doctor's office."

The Truth: Over-the-counter (OTC) aerosol freezing sprays simply do not get cold enough.

·      The thick, callused skin on the bottom of your foot acts like a shield.

·       OTC sprays freeze the top layer of dead skin, but they fail to penetrate deep enough to destroy the active virus.

Myth 3: "It’s just a thick callus. I can file it down."

The Truth: Filing a wart with a pumice stone or a cheese grater is a massive mistake.

·      Warts are highly contagious!

·      If you file a plantar wart and then use that same file on another part of your foot, you will spread the virus, creating a painful "mosaic" cluster of new warts.

The Fact-Based Fix

Don't let a virus dictate your step. A quick visit to our offices can help you get ahead of the problem before the warts multiply or infect others in your household. We offer several quick, effective, and simple methods for correcting the cause of this problem, so stop guessing with drugstore kits. Call us today and get rid of the "pebble" permanently!

Questions? Concerns? Contact the office of Dr. Ross Cohen of The Foot & Ankle Center of Maryland in Glen Burnie, MD, at (410) 761-3501 to schedule your initial diagnostic appointment.

We look forward to meeting you!