Conclusions... A random controlled trial was conducted to compare the effectiveness of two home treatments: Melaleuca alternifolia and Salicylic acid (salactol) on the resolution rates of verrucae pedis and pain levels experienced when using a visual analogue scale. Ten subjects, (age range 16-45), with single plantar warts were randomly assigned to one of the two experimental treatment groups. Subjects received once-daily applications of either Salicylic acid (16.7%) or Melaleuca alternifolia (100%) for 12 weeks. Debridement and clinical assessment were performed at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Statistical analysis using a parametric unrelated t test revealed that no significant difference could be identified (p>0.05) when using Salicylic acid or Melaleuca alternifolia for the treatment of verrucae pedis. Therefore the null hypothesis was accepted. Statistical analysis using a nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test identified that there was a significant difference (p>0.05) when comparing the pain levels experienced when using a visual analogue scale. This concluded that there was an overall significant pain reduction when treating verrucae pedis with Melaleuca alternifolia.