Treatment FAQ

how quickly do warts go away with treatment

by Aylin Raynor Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Treating warts
It may take up to 2 years for the viral infection to leave your system and for the wart to disappear. You might decide to treat your wart if it is painful, or in an area that is causing discomfort or embarrassment. Common methods of treatment include: salicylic acid.
Feb 9, 2022

Medication

  • Avoid touching someone’s wart. ...
  • Make sure that everyone in your home has their own towels, washcloths, razors, nail clippers, socks, and other personal items. ...
  • Clean and cover cuts and scrapes. ...
  • Wash your hands often. ...
  • Prevent dry, cracked skin. ...
  • Stop nail biting and cuticle chewing. ...

More items...

Procedures

After 4 to 7 days, the blister will break, dry up and fall off. Consequently, can a wart just go away? Even those warts that eventually go away can take months, or even years, to disappear.

Therapy

Prevent another plantar wart:

  • Do not touch your wart, or someone else's wart. If you do touch your wart, wash your hands.
  • Do not walk barefoot in public places. Wear shower shoes or sandals in warm, damp areas such as locker rooms, shower stalls, and swimming pool areas.
  • Keep your feet clean and dry. ...
  • Do not share or reuse items. ...

Self-care

Warts disappear by themselves because the body’s immune system fights the wart virus and builds up an immunity to it. This is why as people age they have less warts. There’s a lot of interesting folklore associated with warts.

Nutrition

How to heal warts more quickly and prevent new ones?

How long does it take for a wart to fall off?

How long should I wait after wart removal?

Will warts disappear by themselves?

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How Does A Person Get A Wart?

Warts are very contagious. They are easily spread from one person to another through direct contact with a wart, or with something – such as a lock...

Where Do Warts Typically appear?

Common warts frequently occur on the hands.Warts that occur on the sole of the foot (plantar surface) are called plantar warts. They are most commo...

What Are The Symptoms of Warts?

Plantar warts are the most common type to cause symptoms because of their location. People who get plantar warts may feel as if they have a stone i...

How to treat a wart on the body?

This helps prevent the virus from spreading to other parts of the body, and to other people. Wash your hands immediately after touching the wart. This also helps to prevent spreading the virus to other parts of the body and to other people.

How to prevent warts on feet?

Wearing flip-flops can help prevent warts. Wearing flip-flops or other shoes in moist areas, such as piers, pool decks, and public showers can reduce your risk of developing warts on your feet. Make sure your children get the HPV vaccine.

What happens if you shave over a wart?

If you shave over a wart, you’ll have microtears in your wart and the skin that you shave. Through these microtears, you can spread the virus that causes warts from the wart to any skin that you shave. For example, a man can get new warts in his beard area if he shaves over a wart and then shaves his face.

Can a wart go away on its own?

When someone has a healthy immune system, a wart will often go away on its own. This can take a long time, though. In the meantime, the virus that causes warts can spread to other parts of the body, which may lead to more warts. Treatment can help a wart clear more quickly. You can buy effective wart treatment without a prescription.

Can a dermatologist help with warts?

When a dermatologist can help. While you can often clear a wart at home, some warts can be stubborn. If the person has a weakened immune system, it can be difficult to get rid of warts. Sometimes, what looks like a wart turns out to be a callus or another type of growth. A board-certified dermatologist can help by:

Can you get HPV from scratching?

HPV is contagious. It’s possible for the virus to get inside your body through a cut or scratch, which can cause a wart.

Can you prevent warts?

For these reasons, it can be difficult to prevent warts completely. By taking some precautions, you can reduce the risk of you and your family getting warts.

How long does it take for a wart to go away?

Most common warts go away without treatment, though it may take a year or two and new ones may develop nearby. Some people choose to have their warts treated by a doctor because home treatment isn't working and the warts are bothersome, spreading or a cosmetic concern.

How to get rid of a wart on your skin?

File away any dead skin with a disposable emery board or a pumice stone between treatments. If your skin becomes too irritated, decrease how often you use this method to treat your wart. If you're pregnant, talk with your doctor before using an acid solution. Freezing.

What to do if salicylic acid isn't working?

If salicylic acid or freezing isn't working, your doctor may try trichloroacetic acid. With this method, the doctor first shaves the surface of the wart and then applies the acid with a wooden toothpick. It requires repeat treatments every week or so. Side effects are burning and stinging. Minor surgery.

What is the best way to remove warts?

Unless you have an impaired immune system or diabetes, try these methods: Peeling medicine (salicylic acid). Nonprescription wart removal products such as salicylic acid are available as a patch, ointment, pad and liquid. For common warts, look for a 17 percent salicylic acid solution.

How to diagnose a wart?

Diagnosis. In most cases, your doctor can diagnose a common wart with one or more o

What is the least painful treatment for warts?

Doctors generally start with the least painful methods, especially when treating young children. Your doctor may suggest one of the following approaches, based on the location of your warts, your symptoms and your preferences. These methods are sometimes used in combination with home treatments, such as salicylic acid.

Can cryotherapy cause warts?

Side effects of cryotherapy include pain, blistering and discolored skin in the treated area. Because this technique can be painful, it is usually not used to treat the warts of young children. Other acids. If salicylic acid or freezing isn't working, your doctor may try trichloroacetic acid.

How to treat a wart in the skin?

A dermatologist may use one of the following treatments: 1 Cantharidin: A dermatologist may treat a wart in the office by "painting" it with cantharidin. Cantharidin causes a blister to form under the wart. In a week or so, you can return to the office and the dermatologist will clip away the dead wart. 2 Cryotherapy: For common warts in adults and older children, cryotherapy (freezing) is the most common treatment. This treatment is not too painful. It can cause dark spots in people who have dark skin. It is common to need repeat treatments. 3 Electrosurgery and curettage: Electrosurgery (burning) is a good treatment for common warts, filiform warts, and foot warts. Curettage involves scraping off (curetting) the wart with a sharp knife or small, spoon-shaped tool. These two procedures often are used together. The dermatologist may remove the wart by scraping it off before or after electrosurgery. 4 Excision: The doctor may cut out the wart (excision).

What medicine to use for warts?

Peeling medicines include salicylic acid (stronger than you can buy at the store), tretinoin, and glycolic acid. Bleomycin: The dermatologist may inject each wart with an anti-cancer medicine, bleomycin. The shots may hurt. They can have other side effects, such as nail loss if given in the fingers.

What is the best treatment for dark spots on the foot?

It can cause dark spots in people who have dark skin. It is common to need repeat treatments. Electrosurgery and curettage: Electrosurgery (burning) is a good treatment for common warts, filiform warts, and foot warts. Curettage involves scraping off (curetting) the wart with a sharp knife or small, spoon-shaped tool.

Can a dermatologist treat warts?

Although most warts are harmless, dermatologists do treat them. You should see a dermatologist if you cannot get rid of the warts, the warts hurt, or you have many warts. Dermatologists have many treatments for warts. The treatment used depends on the patient’s age and health as well as the type of wart. A dermatologist may use one of the ...

Can warts go away with immunotherapy?

A mild allergic reaction occurs around the treated warts. This reaction may cause the warts to go away. Another type of immunotherapy involves getting shots of interferon. The shots can boost the body’s immune system, which gives the body the ability to fight the virus.

Do warts return at the same site?

This means that warts can return at the same site or appear in a new spot . Sometimes, it seems that new warts appear as fast as old ones go away. This happens when the old warts shed virus cells into the skin before the warts are treated. This allows new warts to grow around the first warts.

Can you peel warts?

Chemical peels: When flat warts appear, there are usually many warts. Because so many warts appear, dermatologists often prescribe "peeling" methods to treat these warts. This means, you will apply a peeling medicine at home every day.

How to stop warts from spreading?

However, you can lower your risk of picking up the virus or stop warts from spreading by taking these steps: Avoid shaving over a wart. Break the habit of biting your nails or picking at cuticles. Don’t share towels, washcloths, clothing, nail clippers, razors or other personal items.

How to get rid of a blister on a wart?

Eventually, the blister and wart peel off. You may need several treatments. Immunotherapy: For stubborn warts that don’t respond to traditional treatments, immunotherapy helps your immune system fight the virus. This process involves a topical chemical, such as diphencyprone (DCP).

How to prevent genital warts?

Get the HPV vaccine and use condoms to prevent genital warts. Keep your feet dry to prevent the spread of plantar warts. Try not to scratch, cut or pick at a wart. Wear flip-flops or shoes when using a public locker room, pool area or showers.

What is a wart?

Warts are a type of skin infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The infection causes rough, skin-colored bumps to form on the skin. The virus is contagious. You can get warts from touching someone who has them.

What is a wart on the skin?

Warts are noncancerous (benign) rough bumps that form on the skin. They develop when the human papillomavirus, or HPV, enters a cut or break in the skin and causes an infection. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.

What are the different types of warts?

Wart types vary depending on the affected body part. Types include: Hands: These warts are called common warts because they are the most common type. Face: Flat warts affect the face and forehead. Feet: Plantar warts appear on the soles of the feet. These warts look like calluses with tiny black dots in the center.

Why do children get warts?

Children are more prone to warts because they get a lot of cuts. Still, anyone can get warts. People with autoimmune disease or weakened immune systems, including the elderly, are more susceptible to the virus that causes warts.

How long do warts last after treatment?

Due to this, warts may reoccur after treatment because the virus remains. About two⁠–thirds. Trusted Source. of warts resolve by themselves over 12⁠–24 months, leaving no scarring or side effects. However, if this is not the case, or a person wishes to remove warts quickly, various treatment options are available.

When to stop wart medication?

According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), people need to keep using wart medication until the wart is no longer visible and looks the same as the surrounding skin. People should not be able to see any black dots or areas of grainy texture.

Why do butcher's warts appear on hands?

Butcher’s warts look like common warts, and they can also appear on the hands, often as multiple warts. However, they occur due to a specific strain of HPV and affect people who live or work in cold, moist environments.

What is a wart?

Treatments. Effectiveness. When to stop. Tips and prevention. When to see a doctor. Summary. Warts are harmless growths that often appear on the hands and feet. Some warts go away by themselves, but others may persist until a person gets treatment.

What causes warts on hands?

Warts are harmless skin growths that vary in appearance depending on their type. They can occur anywhere on the body but commonly affect the hands. The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes warts, which can readily spread between people in close contact.

What is a plane wart?

Plane warts are flat, skin-colored warts that commonly grow on the face, hands, and shins. People usually have multiple plane warts. Shaving may be responsible for spreading the virus on the face or legs.

How long does it take for salicylic acid to remove warts?

Daily treatment with salicylic acid removes warts within 12 weeks in 70% of cases.

How long does it take for warts to go away?

Over time, your body will often build up a resistance and fight warts off. But it may take months or as many as 2 years for them to disappear. In adults, warts often stick around even longer, perhaps several years or more. Some warts won't ever go away. Doctors aren't sure why some do and others don't.

How to get rid of warts on skin?

Over-the-counter gels, liquids, and pads with salicylic acid work by peeling away the dead skin cells of the wart to gradually dissolve it. For better results, soak the wart in warm water, then gently sand it with a disposable emery board before you apply the product. Be sure to use a new emery board each time.

How do warts spread?

How They Spread. Warts are highly contagious and are mainly passed by direct skin contact, such as when you pick at your warts and then touch another area of your body. You can also spread them with things like towels or razors that have touched a wart on your body or on someone else's.

Why do kids get warts?

Your Body Plays Defense. Kids and teens get more warts than adults because their immune systems haven't built up defenses against the many types of HPV.

Why are plantar warts called mosaic warts?

You may have just one or a cluster (called mosaic warts). Because they're flat, tough, and thick, it's easy to confuse them with calluses.

What is the best treatment for genital warts?

Bleomycin, a cancer drug, may stop infected cells from making more. Interferon boosts your immune system to better fight the HPV, typically for genital warts. These usually aren't the first things your doctor will try, and you may need to use salicylic acid or duct tape on your wart, too. Stop the Spread.

What does a genital wart look like?

They may look like small, scattered, skin-colored bumps or like a cluster of bumps similar to a little bit of cauliflower on your genitals. And they can spread, even if you can't see them.

How long does it take to get rid of a wart?

Treatment will help get rid of warts and reduce future outbreaks, though you may have to repeat treatments to clear warts completely. It may take a few months to treat the warts, and you could go years without an outbreak. Make sure to wear a condom every time you have sex, as HPV can spread without warts present.

How long does it take for genital warts to go away?

Most HPV infections that cause genital warts will go away on their own, taking anywhere from a few months to two years. But even if your genital warts disappear without treatment, you may still have the virus. When left untreated, genital warts can grow very large and in big clusters.

How to get rid of warts on genitals?

Sinecatechins. Sinecatechins is a cream made from green tea extract that’s used to clear up external genital and anal warts. You should apply the ointment three times per day for up to four months. Sinecatechins may be the most effective topical for getting rid of warts. According to one study.

What is laser wart surgery?

Laser surgery is also a specialist procedure. Your surgeon uses a laser light to burn away wart tissue. You may require local or general anesthesia depending on the size and number of warts. Laser surgery can be used to destroy large genital warts or hard-to-access warts that can’t be treated by other procedures.

What is genital wart?

Genital warts are cauliflower-like growths caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most common. Trusted Source. viral sexually transmitted disease in the United States.

How to remove warts from a swollen ear?

Cryotherapy. With cryotherapy, your doctor will remove the warts by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. A blister will form around each wart, which will shed once it heals. Cryotherapy is effective in clearing outbreaks temporarily, but multiple treatments.

How long after warts do you have to wait to have sex?

How to prevent transmission. You should wait to have sex at least two weeks after your warts have cleared. You should also talk to your sexual partners about your HPV status before engaging in sexual activity. Even if you aren’t dealing with an outbreak, you can still spread HPV through skin-to-skin contact.

How to remove warts from skin?

If the warts are hard-to-treat, the dermatologist may use one of the following treatments for wart removal: 1 Chemical peels: When flat warts appear, there are usually many warts. Because so many warts appear, dermatologists often prescribe “peeling” methods to treat these warts. This means, you will apply a peeling medicine at home every day. Peeling medicines include salicylic acid (stronger than you can buy at the store), tretinoin, and glycolic acid. 2 Bleomycin: The dermatologist may inject each wart with an anti-cancer medicine, bleomycin. The shots may hurt. They can have other side effects, such as nail loss if given in the fingers. 3 Immunotherapy: This treatment uses the patient’s own immune system to fight the warts. This treatment is used when the warts remain despite other treatments. One type of immunotherapy involves applying a chemical, such as diphencyprone (DCP), to the warts. A mild allergic reaction occurs around the treated warts. This reaction may cause the warts to go away.

What is the best way to remove warts?

Excision: The doctor may cut out the wart (excision). If the warts are hard-to-treat, the dermatologist may use one of the following treatments for wart removal: Chemical peels: When flat warts appear, there are usually many warts. Because so many warts appear, dermatologists often prescribe “peeling” methods to treat these warts.

How to treat a wart in the office?

A dermatologist may use one of the following treatments: Cantharidin: A dermatologist may treat a wart in the office by “painting” it with cantharidin . Cantharidin causes a blister to form under the wart. In a week or so, you can return to the office and the dermatologist will clip away the dead wart.

What is the best treatment for dark spots on the foot?

It can cause dark spots in people who have dark skin. It is common to need repeat treatments. Electrosurgery and curettage: Electrosurgery (burning) is a good treatment for common warts, filiform warts, and foot warts. Curettage involves scraping off (curetting) the wart with a sharp knife or small, spoon-shaped tool.

What medicine to use for warts?

Peeling medicines include salicylic acid (stronger than you can buy at the store), tretinoin, and glycolic acid. Bleomycin: The dermatologist may inject each wart with an anti-cancer medicine, bleomycin. The shots may hurt. They can have other side effects, such as nail loss if given in the fingers.

What is the treatment for warts?

Immunotherapy: This treatment uses the patient’s own immune system to fight the warts. This treatment is used when the warts remain despite other treatments. One type of immunotherapy involves applying a chemical, such as diphencyprone (DCP), to the warts. A mild allergic reaction occurs around the treated warts.

What is a wart?

Warts are benign ( not cancerous) skin growths that appear when a virus infects the top layer of the skin. Viruses that cause warts are called human papillomavirus (HPV). You are more likely to get one of these viruses if you cut or damage your skin in some way. Wart removal has many different aspects to it. Wart viruses are contagious.

How to prevent warts from spreading?

To prevent the spread of warts, your dermatologist recommends that you wash your hands frequently, especially right after you have touched your wart. You should also cover any cut – no matter how small – with a bandage – to prevent the cut from being infected with HPV.

What is a wart on your hand?

December 15th, 2016. Warts are painful, itchy, and often embarrassing skin growths that can appear anywhere on your body, most commonly on your hands, fingers, and feet. The good news is that dermatologists like Dr. Perri have several effective wart treatment options at their disposal to remove warts. The bad news is, sometimes even ...

Why do warts grow?

Children tend to get warts more frequently than adults, and it’s suspected that this occurs because children’s immune systems are weaker and more susceptible to HPV.

Can you catch a wart in a public place?

Warts are very contagious, which means you can catch them in virtually any public place. Still, there are some prevention tips you can follow to reduce your risk of catching warts. First and foremost, always wear a bandage over any small cut, to prevent the cut from being infected with HPV.

Can a wart be removed with HPV?

First, the wart may not have been entirely removed with the original wart treatment option, and it may continue growing. Second, if an incision was made to remove the wart, the incision may become re-infected with HPV, thus causing the growth of a new wart.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Aakash Gupta
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Most warts are self-resolving. Certain home remedies or treatments could help manage them better. HPV vaccination prevents future infections, but is not a cure.
Medication

Keratolytic agents: Used in the form of patches over the warts.

Salicylic acid


Retinoids: To prevent skin cell growth.

Tretinoin


Terpenoids: Causes the skin under the wart to blister, lifting the wart off the skin.

Cantharidin

Procedures

Electrosurgery: Removal of wart by burning the skin that contains a wart.

Curettage: Removal of wart tissue using a scalpel or a small, sharp, spoon-shaped tool.

Laser surgery: Removal of wart using an intense beam of light, or laser, to burn and destroy the wart tissue.

Therapy

Cryotherapy:A mixture of chemicals is sprayed as cold air on the warts. The dead skin is removed by scraping.

Duct tape occlusion:The wart is covered by a duct tape for several days and then removed.

Immunotherapy:Uses interferons and contact sensitizers to fight HPV.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Avoid touching or pricking the warts as they are contagious.
  • Do not share your clothes, utensils, objects.
  • Avoid physical or sexual contact when you have warts.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Foods rich in vitamins and minerals: e.g. dark, leafy greens, sea vegetables, spinach, kale, pumpkin
  • Antioxidant rich Foods: e.g. broccoli, blueberries, tomatoes, and cherries
  • Foods rich in proteins: e.g. meat, fish, tofu beans, nuts

Foods to avoid:

  • Foods containing trans fats: e.g. cakes, cookies, crackers, donuts, margarine and fast Foods such as french fries

Specialist to consult

Dermatologist
Specializes in the study of the skin and its disorders.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Preparing For Your Appointment

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