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

Co-authored by Catherine Cheung, DPM and Jennifer Mueller, JD

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Approved

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]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

1

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

Download Article

Warts are more difficult to treat if they're covered with hard, dead skin. 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]
X
Trustworthy Source

Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

Go to source}
- You can try adding Epsom salts or baking soda to the water—2 home remedies to soften and get rid of calluses.

2

Use a pumice stone to slough off the callus.

Download Article

Lightly rub the calloused skin to remove it. 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]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- 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]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Catherine Cheung, DPM
  Board Certified Podiatrist
  
  Expert Interview. 21 April 2019.}
- 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]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  
  Go to source}
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.

Download Article

Buy salicylic acid lotion or gel at your local pharmacy. 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]
X
Trustworthy Source

Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

Go to source}
- 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.

4

Cover the wart to prevent it from spreading.

Download Article

Use a regular bandage to cover the wart, especially if you're barefoot. 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]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source}
- 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]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Harvard Medical School
  Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
  
  Go to source}

5

Try over-the-counter wart removers.

Download Article

Buy nonprescription freezing medicine at any pharmacy. Brands include Compound W Freeze Off and Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} In general, these don't get as cold as cryotherapy done by a medical professional and work less than half the time.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} 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]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}

6

Protect your feet to keep the virus from spreading.

Download Article

Wear sandals around swimming pools and in locker rooms. 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]
X
Research source}
- 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.

Download Article

Tell your doctor how long you've had the wart and how you've treated it. 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]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Prescription-strength salicylic acid medication
- Cryotherapy (freezing the wart off using liquid nitrogen)
- Laser treatment
- HPV vaccine
- Surgery

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 5
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.
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
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 23
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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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
Yes No

Not Helpful 14 Helpful 31

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Reader Videos

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]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
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]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Avoid touching the wart directly or picking at it—you can spread the virus and end up with more warts. If you do accidentally touch it, wash your hands immediately.^{[19]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Some skin cancers look like warts when they first appear. If your wart changes in size, color, or shape, bleeds, or grows quickly, see a specialist to have it tested.^{[20]
X
Trustworthy Source

Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, see your doctor rather than attempting self-care methods.^{[21]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Even after the wart goes away, you may still have the virus in your skin—which means you might get another wart years later. Practicing good foot hygiene helps prevent this.^{[22]
X
Trustworthy Source

Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Don't ignore any growths or changes to the skin on your feet—some might not be benign like plantar warts. Seek medical advice if you're concerned.^{[23]
X
Expert Source

Catherine Cheung, DPM
Board Certified Podiatrist

Expert Interview. 21 April 2019.}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0