Marigolds For Plantar Warts

There are several different treatment options for plantar warts. However, experts caution these warts are often very resistant to treatment and may come back. One treatment is salicylic acid in the form of a solution or patch. When applied to the top of the wart, the medication slowly destroys the infected skin a layer at a time. A pumice stone is used to scrape away the dead skin and the process is repeated. Treatment can take three to four weeks. Larger plantar warts may require cryotherapy (treatment with freezing temperatures). It’s usually done using liquid nitrogen sprayed onto the wart. Treatments are typically repeated every two to four weeks.

For more stubborn warts, doctors may try to surgically remove the wart by cutting away the tissue. Another option is to place an electric needle into the wart to kill the cells, and then scrape out the dead tissue. Laser surgery may also be used to destroy the wart.

Tracey Vlahovic, D.P.M., a Podiatrist with Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, is using a novel treatment for plantar warts, called “Marigold Therapy.” The product is derived from the petals, stems and leaves of marigolds from the species, Tagetes (not the same marigolds commonly found in home gardens). The first part of the treatment is done in the physician’s office. First a pad with a hole is placed over the target wart. The wart sticks through the hole while the pad provides a little extra support, taking pressure off the surrounding tissue. Next, a spray of marigold extract is applied to the wart, followed by a marigold paste. That’s topped with a tape covering. The dressing stays in place for one week and the treatment is repeated weekly for four weeks.

Recently, Vlahovic presented findings of marigold therapy at a Poster Exhibit Task Force meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. The treatment was given to three HIV-positive patients with plantar warts that were very resistant to standard medical therapy. Vlahovic found the Marigold Therapy reduced both the number and size of the warts.

Marigold Therapy comes from the United Kingdom and is only available through a physician. Currently, Vlahovic is the only U.S. physician certified to provide the treatment. She says it’s ideal for patients who don’t get relief from traditional therapies or are unable or unwilling to undergo standard treatment. Vlahovic also says patients who receive salicylic acid can’t get their feet wet, which often makes it difficult for patients to comply with the therapy. With Marigold Therapy, patients are encouraged to get their feet wet.

Vlahovic says there are several different kinds of Tagetes marigolds used in Marigold Therapy and each has different properties. In addition to being anti-viral, some are anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, analgesic and keralytic (able to remove excess hard skin). Therefore, by using different kinds of marigolds, the treatment could be used for a number of different conditions, like athlete’s foot, corns and calluses, bunions, arthritis or joint pain and plantar fasciitis.

 For information on Marigold Therapy, http://www.marigoldfootcare.com.