Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for warts?

by Alexa Parker Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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For common warts, look for a 17 percent salicylic acid solution. These products (Compound W, Dr. Scholl's Clear Away Wart Remover, others) are usually used daily, often for a few weeks. For best results, soak your wart in warm water for a few minutes before applying the product.Apr 30, 2022

Medication

Top 3 Best Over the Counter Wart Remover Reviews

  1. Compound W Wart Remover Fast-Acting Gel Compound W is one of the leaders in wart removal products. ...
  2. Duofilm Liquid Salicylic Acid Wart Remover This liquid product has also been considered the best over the counter wart remover numerous times, thanks to its effective formulation. ...
  3. Compound W Freeze Off Wart Remover-8 applications

Procedures

  • 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...

Therapy

  • Dr. Scholl’s freeze away wart remover comes with a can and blue activator.
  • Screw the tip in can then push the can in the blue activator.
  • Apply the freeze-away solution for 20 seconds on common warts and up to 40 seconds on plantar warts.
  • Before you apply it on plantar warts, you can wash and soak them for a few minutes in the wart for better results.

Self-care

Your doctor or nurse can:

  • Put chemicals on the warts to make them go away or stop growing. ...
  • Give you a prescription for a cream that you put on the warts yourself for several weeks.
  • Freeze the warts off ( cryotherapy ).
  • Burn off the warts using an electric current.
  • Remove the warts with a knife or wire and electricity ( LEEP ).

Nutrition

What is the best over the counter medication for warts?

How to heal warts more quickly and prevent new ones?

What is the best over the counter wart removal product?

What kind of Doctor removes warts?

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What is the fastest treatment for warts?

To treat a wart, soak it for 10 to 15 minutes (you can do this in the shower or bath), file away the dead warty skin with an emery board or pumice stone, and apply the salicylic acid. Do this once or twice a day for 12 weeks.

How do you permanently get rid of warts?

Some of the most effective and popular medical treatments for wart removal include:Cantharidin. ... Cryotherapy. ... Electrosurgery/Curettage. ... Excision. ... Laser treatment. ... Chemical peels. ... Bleomycin. ... Immunotherapy.

How do you get rid of a wart in 24 hours?

Gather a bottle of apple cider vinegar, cotton balls or cotton-tipped applicators, and a small bandage. Soak the cotton ball in apple cider vinegar, and apply this to the area where the wart is. Place the bandage over the cotton ball and leave it in place overnight. Some people may leave it on for up to 24 hours.

Can you self treat a wart?

Many people have removed warts with these self-care tips: Peeling medicine (salicylic acid). Nonprescription wart removal products are sold as a patch, gel or liquid. You'll likely be instructed to wash the site, soak it in warm water, and gently remove the top layer of softened skin with a pumice stone or emery board.

Why do people get warts?

Warts are caused by an infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus causes an excess amount of keratin, a hard protein, to develop in the top skin layer (epidermis). The extra keratin produces the rough, hard texture of a wart.

Can vinegar remove warts?

Vinegar is an acetic acid, which means it can kill certain types of bacteria and viruses upon contact. Vinegar burns and gradually destroys the infected skin, making the wart fall off eventually, like the way salicylic acid works.

Will clear nail polish remove warts?

People also use duct tape or clear nail polish to suffocate the virus, thereby removing the wart, although these treatments probably do not work any better than a placebo. Use duct tape like you would a wart-remover patch.

How do you stop warts from spreading?

When treating a wart, dermatologists recommend that you:Cover your wart. 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.

Why do warts keep coming back?

Why Do My Warts Keep Coming Back? If you have attempted to treat your warts, but they continue to come back, the treatment has failed to kill the virus. The wart was removed, but the virus is still present. Your immune system may not be strong enough to fight off the virus.

How long do warts take to go away?

Most people develop an immune response that causes warts to go away by themselves. One-fifth of all warts disappear within six months, and two-thirds are gone within two years. However, if your wart doesn't disappear, or if it's unsightly or uncomfortable, you can try self-treatment or seek help from your doctor.

Do warts have roots?

Contrary to popular belief, warts do not have "roots." They originate from the top layer of skin, the epidermis. As they grow down into the second layer of skin, the dermis, they can displace the dermis but not form roots: The underside of a wart is smooth.

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

The location of the wart and the thickness of the skin around the wart will determine how long it takes for the blister to form. The blister may be either clear or filled with blood. Sometimes a crust or scab may form instead. After 4 to 7 days, the blister will break, dry up and fall off.

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.

How does salicylic acid work?

Prescription-strength wart medications with salicylic acid work by removing layers of a wart a little bit at a time. Studies show that salicylic acid is more effective when combined with freezing. Freezing (cryotherapy). Freezing therapy done at a doctor's office involves applying liquid nitrogen to your wart.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

How Are Warts Diagnosed?

Usually, a doctor can tell if skin growth is a wart just by looking at it. Typically, warts present as flesh-colored, grainy bumps that are rough to the touch. Your doctor may take a biopsy of the wart and look at it under a microscope to test for abnormal probabilities.

How Are Warts Treated?

Usually, a doctor can tell if skin growth is a wart just by looking at it. Typically, warts present as flesh-colored, grainy

Quality Wart Removal Treatment

Warts are annoying, unattractive, and irritating skin blemishes. Instead of waiting for warts to go away––which can take months or even years––get them removed by a skincare professional. There’s no reason to neglect your skin! We’re here to help in any way we can. You deserve healthy, glowing skin.

How to remove a wart from a spherical object?

If over-the-counter treatment fails, your doctor can remove a wart by: 1 Freezing it with liquid nitrogen. 2 Burning it off with an electric needle or a laser. 3 Applying acids to help destroy the wart. 4 Injecting a drug called bleomycin into the wart (which kills the virus), used for severe cases. 5 Injecting candida antigen to stimulate the body’s immune system to fight off the wart. 6 Prescribing a topical medication called imiquimod ( Aldara ), which improves your body's fighting capabilities. This is mainly helpful for genital warts.

What is the best medicine for genital warts?

Prescribing a topical medication called imiquimod ( Aldara ), which improves your body's fighting capabilities. This is mainly helpful for genital warts. Getting rid of warts takes persistence. It is in the rare situation that a wart is gone with a single treatment.

How to get rid of a wart on your arm?

Burning it off with an electric needle or a laser. Apply ing acids to help destroy the wart. Injecting a drug called bleomycin into the wart (which kills the virus), used for severe cases. Injecting candida antigen to stimulate the body’s immune system to fight off the wart.

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

One-fifth of all warts disappear within six months, and two-thirds are gone within two years. However, if your wart doesn't disappear, or if it's unsightly or uncomfortable, you can try self-treatment or seek help from your doctor.

What is the best way to treat a wart?

If you decide to treat your own wart, your first-choice remedy should be an over-the-counter medication in liquid, gel, pad, or ointment form.

Can you reuse a pumice stone?

You should not reuse the same washcloth or pumice stone or you may keep reinfecting yourself with the wart virus. After applying the over-the-counter salicylic acid treatment, the area should be covered with a piece of duct tape. This will help to both adhere and penetrate the salicylic acid into the skin.

Can butane kill warts?

The sprays generally contain liquid butane and are sprayed directly onto the wart to freeze and kill the tissue. Temperatures can reach as low as a negative 100 degrees. The down side of this home treatment is that it may not freeze the wart deep enough to be effective.

How to treat HPV infection?

It’s thought to improve your body’s reaction to HPV, but there aren’t any studies to support this claim. You can puncture a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil to the wart. Protect the wart with a bandage and keep it on overnight. Repeat daily for two weeks.

How to treat warts with garlic?

To treat warts with garlic, crush up 1 clove and mix it with water. Apply to the wart and cover with a bandage. Repeat daily for three to four weeks. You can also apply garlic juice or rub a clove on the wart.

How to get rid of warts on skin?

Aspirin may also get rid of warts. Its main ingredient is salicylic acid, a common ingredient in over-the-counter wart treatments. Salicylic acid works by peeling away the infected skin. Over time, this removes the wart.

How to get rid of a wart on a swollen ear?

To do so, combine 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil with 12 drops of a carrier oil, like almond oil or castor oil. Add 3 to 4 drops of this mixture on a cotton ball. Place it on the wart for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat two or three times a day. If you experience irritation, you might need to dilute it even more.

How to get rid of ringworm on skin?

It’s used as a natural remedy for warts, ringworm, dandruff, and other skin conditions. Apply castor oil on the wart every day. It might take two or more weeks for the wart to fall off.

How long does it take for warts to go away?

They’re caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Warts are contagious. They can go away on their own, but it can take weeks, months, or years. Conventional treatments include chemical peels, surgery, freezing, and laser surgery. These treatments can be expensive and cause skin irritation. Another option is to try natural home remedies ...

What is dandelion milk?

Dandelion milk, or sap, is a traditional remedy for skin diseases like warts. A 2011 animal study. Trusted Source. found that dandelion extract may support collagen production, decrease skin inflammation, and soothe irritation. A 2012 study also determined that dandelions have antimicrobial components.

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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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