✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 7, 2026

Apple Cider Vinegar Verruca Treatment: Does It Work?

Apple Cider Vinegar Verruca Treatment is not as well researched as salicylic acid or even simply using duct tape, but many people love it!

Apple cider vinegar verruca removal treatment video:

Apple Cider Vinegar Verruca Treatment Overview:

• There is very little actual research documenting apple cider vinegar’s success in removing plantar warts (plantar verrucas).
• The treatment is very similar to the accepted 1st line medical treatment of salicylic acid.
• In theory, apple cider vinegar works like salicylic acid, which has a documented success rate of approximately 70-85% over a period of 2 months.
•  This treatment is designed to be applied easily at home- the drawbacks are irritation to the site, but the benefits are a cheap method that usually should work.

If you need to know to want to know the Plantar Wart (Verruca) Basics:

The Complete Foot Wart Treatment Guide

Does It Work?

• There are multiple medical studies performed using a “vinegar-like” compound known as salicylic acid.
• Which is now considered the first-line therapy for foot warts by most health professionals.
• Apple cider vinegar has a similar pH to salicylic acid, and it is not so much the structure of salicylic acid as the acidity that helps treat the wart.
• There are also multiple research studies stating that other acids have effectively removed plantar warts, so theoretically, it makes sense that this vinegar treatment should work.
• This treatment is confirmed because hundreds of testimonials are available online for people who have tried this method!
• Just because something is not published in a scientific journal does not mean that it doesn’t work!

Review of the Apple Cider Vinegar Verruca Treatment

• In theory, this treatment is similar to salicylic acid, which is the approved medical first-line treatment.
• But be aware that vinegar itself is not scientifically written about, but neither are parachutes, and they work!
• The main complaint against this method is pain. It can last hours or up to 5 days; if it hurts you, We also like the the duct tape method.
• Many online testimonials have people stating that this has worked for them, but be aware of the pain!

Bottom Line: Theoretically, this should work. There will be some pain! Compare this to the duct tape method, which is slower, safer, and has no pain. The choice is up to you!

Treatment Guide:

Things you need

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Q-tip or Cotton Ball
• Band-Aids or Duct Tape

The Apple Cider Vinegar Verruca Treatment:

• Before going to bed at night, soak a cotton ball or the Q-tip in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the wart.
• Be aware that this will burn a little bit! If the pain is extreme or has diminished sensation, wash it off and try a different method!
• If the pain is excessive-Use the duct tape method
• Put a piece of duct tape or a band-aid over the wart and go to bed. If the vinegar is causing discomfort and you can’t sleep, then flush out the vinegar and wear the piece of duct tape for a couple of days.
• There is no research done, but anecdotal reports state that doing this every night for a week or every 2nd night for 4-5x will get you great results.
• After you treat it a few times, leave the duct tape on for 2-4 days at a time, and this will help the wart disappear further if it has not already.

Recommendation: Duct Tape is another method that is readily available at home- it has the benefits of being cheap and easy- but does not irritate the skin like apple cider vinegar! I recommend you try this before vinegar to avoid skin irritation. -The studies show it also has an unconfirmed treatment rate, but some studies put it at around 80% for the 1st two months.

Other Treatments:

• Duct Tape
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Salicylic Acid

For more on Apple Cider Vinegar Verruca Treatment: Plantar Warts

Conservative Foot Treatment Options in Michigan: From Orthotics to EPAT

Michigan patients with foot and ankle conditions benefit from access to the full range of conservative treatment options at Balance Foot & Ankle. Custom orthotics fabricated from a 3D scan of the patient’s foot provide structural correction for flatfoot, high arch, and biomechanical overload conditions that OTC insoles cannot adequately address. EPAT (extracorporeal pulse activation therapy) provides a non-surgical treatment option for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and other tendon conditions that resist initial conservative care — clinical evidence shows 70-80% cure rates for chronic plantar fasciitis. Ultrasound-guided injection therapy allows precise corticosteroid, PRP, or local anesthetic delivery to specific anatomical targets including the plantar fascia insertion, retrocalcaneal bursa, Morton’s neuroma interspace, and ankle joint. Physical therapy coordination with specific home exercise prescription addresses strength and flexibility deficits that perpetuate foot and ankle conditions. Michigan patients who want conservative treatment options before considering surgery can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 for an evaluation at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills office.

---

Related Treatment Guides

• Skin Lesion Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment

Clinical References

1. Wortsman X. Sonography of plantar warts. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. 2010;29(7):1041-1048.
2. Kwok CS, Gibbs S, Bennett C, et al. Topical treatments for cutaneous warts. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012;(9):CD001781.
3. Mulhem E, Pinelis S. Treatment of nongenital cutaneous warts. American Family Physician. 2011;84(3):288-293.