Wart removal from the foot archived

Try your son's regular doctor.

J.B.

I bought one of those home freeze-off kits once. It was lots of fun to use. I can't remember if it worked.

That wasn't at all helpful, was it?

But, I think that if you don't miss and accidentally hit skin, it can't hurt to try.

I heard/read about a study that indicated duct tape is actually as effective as OTC remedies on kids' warts. Soak the foot a while, rub off (or use a callus file) what you can, and cover directly with duct tape. Repeat with each bath, otherwise leave the tape in place.

Sounds weird, huh? Dermatologist recommended the same drill for my kid, with the addition of a salicylic acid cream before the tape, and using regular first aid adhesive tape instead of the duct tape. Salicylic acid is also the active ingredient in a number of the OTC products.

The OTC remedy (Compound W) worked on the wart I had when I was a kid. It was on the side of my pinky, so every time we did those Turkey drawings where you trace your hand/fingers to make the turkey, I had to erase the wart bump. Clearly this is a painful "kid" memory that has stuck with me. :cry:

But, I do remember the Compound W did work. I was drawing regular turkeys in no time! (it just took my mother years to actually do something about it, so the painful memory of years of bumpy turkeys had already done its damage). :sad:

Our podiatrist did this for my son. She said freezing is not often effective on feet (it is often effective elsewhere). The primary care MD had first tried the freezing technique, to no avail.

I really like the folks at this office (they have several locations, but we go to Springfield). Really nice with kids, very comfortable, no pain, not scary, etc.

Dr. Nancy Kaplan or Dr. Samuel Feldman
973-376-8210

Thanks everyone - (BTW, it's me! "Deidra" from the vintage MOL. I just changed my username for fun - and because I have two siblings and we are like the 3 musketeers).

Jersey Boy - his pediatrician won't do anything more than refer to a dermatologist....GO BLUE!

That duct tape sounds like a science experiment my son would probably LOVE!

I'm actually going to call the podiatrist above and see if they can fit him in.

My son plays B-Ball at the Y and he's starting to favor it with a limp...and I kills me to see him in pain like that.

Thanks again and it's good (and different) to be back on the board.

Be well all!

Good luck, trinity/D! My son's wart was on the bottom of his foot, too. It took quite a long time (weeks) to get rid of it even with the derm's help.

Oh well, mjh - I just called and they don't take Aetna...rrrrrrrrrrrrr!:angry:

I'm going to CVS to get something in the meantime - while I try to get him in to see someone.

This would be called a plantar wart. They are very difficult to treat.

what is your sons age?

salicylic acid is available OTC and is the cure of choice by derms. Depending on the number, depth and type of warts it might take up to 2 months to get them off.

Salicytic acid is the cure of choice, but the OTC product is not the same strength as the prescription product (or so I was informed). But perhaps you could start treatment while waiting for an appointment. Hoops is right about the time-consuming nature of plantar wart treatment. My son seemed to be cured after two podiatry visits a couple of weeks apart. Home treatment will require more effort, but it's a start.

Trinity: Aetna should be able to provide you with a referral, no?

I know there are several podiatrists in Milburn (on Milburn avenue) but I don't know their names.

Yes, like the above posters mentioned, a wart on the sole of the foot is a plantar wart. In my experience, OTC treatments work as well as something the podiatrist can do, albeit a bit slower. My daughter had one, and we used Dr Scholl's plantar patches. They were very easy to use, and didn't hurt. Years ago, I had one treated by a podiatrist, and man, I had one treatment that almost made me faint. (plus, it didn't work all that well)
My advice is to try the OTC for a good while. It'll eventually go away.

Hoops - He is a very active 7 y/o - who is so upset about missing basketball at the Y today because of the pain.

Aetna's website can give certainly give me referrals but I wanted to try MOL first. I did make an appt for Mon. at Essex Podiatry on S.O. Ave.

I just came back from CVS. I got Johnson's Foot Soap (which I swear by!) and Plantar Wart Treatment Patches (with the Salicytic Acid). That Dr. Scholl's Freeze Off stuff was about $29!!!...and I'm not paying that much for something I'm not confident will work. We'll do the patch route until the Dr. visit. I did forget to ask if they use laser treatment for removal. Is that how they do it? Maybe I should google "plantar warts".

Thanks again everyone for your support and suggestions.

I had a large planter's wart years ago (the early 1980s) and they had me lie down on a table and grip a handle while they removed it in about 30 seconds. Not sure what the used but I think it involved burning and it hurt like hell for a bit and then they bandaged me up and sent me home. It never came back.

A podiatrist can do this, and you won't have trouble getting an appointment. The burn method is not painful. My daughter had tons of warts removed, and she was fine.

The podiatrist said the salycilic acid doesn't work, but that's because he gets the patients for whom it has failed. It does work sometimes.

Did you ever try banana peel - secure it for the night, several times, and rub with garlic during the day. Worked for me, though on hands.

Trinity/Deirdra,
Just something else to try...
From one of my homeopathy books (as my only training is self-study - not a licensed homeopath)

Warts are caused by a viral infection that results in a overgrowth of cells. Some people are very susceptible, others are not.

For Plantar warts on soles of feet, use the remedy
Antimonium Crudum in 6C potency twice per day for 2-4 weeks.
Discontinue as soon as there is improvement. Also helpful along with this, to apply
Thuja tincture or ointment in AM & before bed.

Where to get this? Whole Foods may have the remedy, doubt they would have the tincture/ointment but could order, or you can order all from someplace like this:
http://www.1-800homeopathy.com/index/topical.html?item=CLND

best,
DoulaMomma