I just read your answer to Footsie regarding the feasibility of treating plantar warts on feet naturally or homeopathically. You answered with a good summary of where plantar warts come from, how they are typically treated, as well as some ways to avoid contracting them in the first place. However, the treatments which you discussed are all traditional ones, and you failed to address the question of natural or homeopathic solutions. Here is my story:

I contracted plantar warts (most likely from a campground shower in June 2000) and by September 2000, I could barely walk. My doctor tried salicylic acid, cutting, freezing, laser, genital wart cremes, sanding, shoe inserts/insoles, etc... nothing worked. This went on until May 2001. Being at a loss, my MD finally offered two possible "non-traditional" treatments which he said had shown promise. One (which requires allergy to poison ivy, which I am not allergic to) involves breaking off poison ivy stems [using gloves, of course!) and carefully applying the poison ivy oils to the wart site(s)]. My dermatologist indicated that the immune system reaction brought on by poison ivy (in those who are allergic) would cause the warts to go away. Old wives' treatment, I'm sure, but claimed to work.

The other "non-traditional" treatment recommended to me was hypnotherapy (self-hypnosis). I chose this one, and met with a psychologist in early June 2001. After a single half-hour session, the pain of the warts was gone. The warts remained, but I was given a self-hypnotic five-minute routine to practice every evening at bedtime, a routine which involved simple relaxation techniques and visualizing the warts shrinking and being purged from my foot.

Today is July 17, 2001 (less than 5 weeks after starting my hypnosis routine) and I am completely WART FREE.

I am an engineer by training, and very skeptical of anything new age or homeopathic or non-scientific, but I am amazed to report to you that hypnotherapy for treatment of plantar warts has worked, at least in my case, and I am a true believer in its efficacy.

Hope this helps.

See ya,
Ex-Wart-Guy

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Dear Alice,

I am commenting on the question about natural ways to rid plantar warts. I have had one on my foot for most of the last 10 years. Today, however, I spoke to my new doctor about it and she said that at a recent conference, she heard that putting duct tape over it works. Curious, I did some Internet research... Looks like it might be effective due to starving the wart of air. One reading I found recommended putting a single layer of duct tape over the wart and leaving it for 7 days. After 7 days, take the tape off and leave it open to the air for 12 - 24 hours. Then apply two layers of duct tape, leave on for 7 days, and it should pop out or be gone at that time. If not, continue treatment until it is. I'm starting today, so we'll see!

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Alice,

Thank you for your advice on these warts. My mom tried covering the plantar wart with duct tape for a few weeks. This worked completely, and was much better after a week. My mom teaches dancing and naturally needs her feet not to hurt. We were both surprised that something so simple worked. The theory is that the cells in the wart were being deprived of oxygen.

Thank you for the site and the information.

Ben