Does salicylic acid work for plantar warts?
Short answer: Salicylic acid gradually removes infected keratin and has better evidence than many wart treatments. It is inexpensive but requires correct concentration, protection of normal skin and consistent use for several weeks.
The lesion is usually softened, excess dead skin is carefully reduced and the medicine is applied only to the wart. Daily or protocol-directed treatment may continue for up to 12 weeks or longer. Pain, excessive whitening, ulceration or inflammation indicates a need to pause and review technique.
A Cochrane review found salicylic acid produced more clearance than placebo overall. For plantar warts specifically, the EVerT trial found no meaningful difference between salicylic acid and clinician-delivered cryotherapy at 12 weeks.
Self-treatment is unsuitable when the diagnosis is uncertain or when the patient has diabetes-related foot risk, poor circulation, neuropathy, impaired healing or cannot safely see or reach the lesion. Strong acids can injure healthy skin.
When should I seek an assessment?
Consider assessment when the diagnosis is uncertain, the lesion is painful or changing, warts are spreading, self-care is unsafe, or reasonable treatment has failed. Chronic lesions should be re-examined before another destructive course is started.