Medication
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen
- Burning or cautery with an electric needle or a laser
- Applying acids stronger than over-the-counter ones to help destroy the wart
- Injecting bleomycin into the wart. ...
- Injecting medication to promote the body’s immune system to fight off warts
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. ...
Therapy
If you prefer not to wait it out, you have several treatment options:
- Salicylic acid. This is the main ingredient in aspirin, and it should usually be your first choice. ...
- Freezing. In this treatment, also called cryotherapy, a clinician swabs or sprays liquid nitrogen onto the wart and a small surrounding area. ...
- Duct tape. ...
- Other agents. ...
- Zapping and cutting. ...
Self-care
Medications for Human Papillomavirus
- Imiquimod. This topical medication helps eliminate warts by boosting the immune system. ...
- Podofilox. Podofilox stops the growth of cells that cause genital warts. ...
- Sinecatechins. Made from the extract of green tea leaves, these medications are used to treat warts on the penis, the vulva, and the outside of the anus.
- Trichloroacetic Acid. ...
Nutrition
What is the best over the counter medicine for warts?
How to heal warts more quickly and prevent new ones?
What is the fastest wart removal remedy?
What medication is used to remove warts?
What is the best way to remove warts?
What is the best medicine for warts?
What does scraping off the top of a wart do?
How long does it take for a wart to go away?
What is the least painful treatment for warts?
How to get rid of a wart on your skin?
How long does it take to get rid of a wart?
See more
About this website
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.
What are warts caused by?
Warts are caused by an infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV).
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 I stop warts from spreading?
To help prevent warts from spreading to other parts of your body:Don't scratch or pick at your warts.Keep your warts dry.Try to avoid your warts while shaving.Consider covering your warts.Don't use tools like a nail file or nail clipper on both your warts and on unaffected skin.
Will warts go away on their own?
Treat the wart. 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.
How long do warts last?
Warts that are not genital are usually not serious and may disappear on their own in 2 to 3 years. Some warts last a lifetime.
Can I cut off a wart?
Whatever you do, do not try to cut off a plantar wart yourself because you may injure yourself and cuts in your skin allow the warts to spread.
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.
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...
Warts: 3 Types, Treatment, and Prevention - WebMD
Warts are skin growths that are caused by the human papillomavirus ().There are more than 60 kinds of HPV, some of which tend to cause warts on the skin. HPV stimulates quick growth of cells on ...
What is the best treatment for genital warts?
The topical immunotherapy drug imiquimod (Aldara), a standard therapy for genital warts, can also be used to treat skin warts. Imiquimod is thought to work by causing an allergic response and irritation at the site of the wart.
How long does it take to get rid of a wart?
Getting rid of the wart this way usually takes three or four treatments, one every two to three weeks; any more than that probably won't help.
What are warts anyway?
Warts occur when skin cells grow faster than normal because they are infected with the human papillomavirus ( HPV ). Among the 150 strains of HPV, about 10 cause cutaneous (skin) warts, including common, plantar, and flat warts (see "Common types of skin warts," below). Certain other strains cause anal warts and genital warts. Some sexually transmitted types of HPV are implicated in cervical and other genital cancers, but the strains that cause skin warts have rarely been linked to cancer.
How to get rid of a wart on the hand?
Freezing. In this treatment, also called cryotherapy, a clinician swabs or sprays liquid nitrogen onto the wart and a small surrounding area. The extreme cold (which may be as low as –321 F) burns the skin, causing pain, redness, and usually a blister. Getting rid of the wart this way usually takes three or four treatments, one every two to three weeks; any more than that probably won't help. After the skin has healed, apply salicylic acid to encourage more skin to peel off. Some individual trials have found salicylic acid and cryotherapy to be equally effective, with cure rates of 50% to 70%, but there is some evidence that cryotherapy is particularly effective for hand warts.
What are clustered plantar warts called?
Found only on the soles of the feet. Clustered plantar warts are called mosaic warts.
Why do people get warts?
All of us come into contact with HPV repeatedly — when we shake hands or touch a doorknob, for example — but only some of us develop warts, and that's hard to explain. Children and people with immune system abnormalities are particularly vulnerable. For reasons that aren't entirely clear, so are people in certain occupations, such as meat, fish, and poultry handlers. But the most likely explanation is that some people are simply more prone to warts than others.
How are warts different from strep throat?
A wart virus infection is different from a bacterial infection such as strep throat, which can be caught, treated, and eradicated because it progresses in a distinct, reliable pattern. The ways of warts are much less predictable.
What is the best way to treat flat 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. Peeling medicines include salicylic acid (stronger than you can buy at the store), tretinoin, and glycolic acid.
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.
How do dermatologists diagnose warts?
A dermatologist can tell whether you have a wart by looking at it. In rare cases, a dermatologist may need to perform a skin biopsy to be certain. If a dermatologist needs to perform a biopsy, the doctor will remove the wart and send it to a lab. At the lab, a small piece of the wart will be looked at under a microscope.
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 is the term for cutting out a wart?
Excision: The doctor may cut out the wart (excision).
Can warts be cured?
There is no cure for the wart virus. This means that warts can return at the same site or appear in a new spot.
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.
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 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 are the warts under the toenails called?
Periungual and subungual: These warts form under or around fingernails and toenails.
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.
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).
What is the best treatment for warts?
Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a powerful antimicrobial remedy. It’s used to treat skin conditions like acne, athlete’s foot, and other skin infections. The oil’s antiviral properties may also help get rid of warts. Some methods suggest applying tea tree oil on the wart, but undiluted oil can cause skin irritation.
How to treat a wart on a swollen arm?
Aspirin is thought to have a similar effect. The suggested method is to crush aspirin tablets and mix with water. Apply the paste on the wart and cover with a bandage overnight.
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 remove warts from pineapple?
People have reported success removing warts using pineapple juice in several ways. One method is to soak the wart in pineapple juice every day. Another technique is to apply fresh pineapple daily.
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 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 to use Propolis on a wart?
To use propolis, apply it on the wart. Place a bandage on top and leave overnight. Repeat daily.
What is the best way to treat warts?
Eugenol in clove oil makes it highly effective in treating skin warts. it is also known as one of the best home remedies for warts. It not only inhibits the process of reproduction of the virus but also helps you get rid of the infection.
How to get rid of warts on a wart?
All you need to do is rub your wart with a banana peel for some minutes and keep the banana peel intact on the wart by using an adhesive bandage .
What are warts?
Warts are fleshy small skin bumps that develop due to a virus called the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) on the surface of your skin. They can occur anywhere on the body, such as on the face, legs, hands, and other body parts. You may contract this viral infection if you happen to cut, injury, or damage your skin, and if your damaged skin comes in contact with someone who is infected with HPV. Sharing belonging, such as razors, towels, and other personal care items, increase the risk of getting infected with this virus.
How to treat warts naturally?
You can use it to treat your undesirable warts. Take two tablespoons of water in a tiny container, add a few drops of tea tree oil to it, mix it well, and apply the mixture on warts five to six times daily. Tea tree oil is one of the best essential oil used in home remedies for warts.
What is a plantar wart?
It is familiar, especially in children. It is defined as the non-cancerous skin lesion caused by a viral infection in the top layer of the skin.
Does Neem oil kill the virus?
Neem oil is popular for its strong antiviral properties which are powerful enough to kill the virus. Use neem oil to treat your skin warts and prevent it from spreading further. All you need to do is apply neem oil your skin wart and cover it by using a bandage.
What is laser wart treatment?
Laser treatments. This approach, which uses an intense beam of light, can be expensive and is usually reserved for extensive and tough-to-treat warts. Side effects can include scarring and pain.
What is the procedure to burn off warts?
Electrocautery. This procedure uses an electrical current to burn off warts. You might have some pain and swelling after the procedure.
What is the best cream for warts?
Sinecatechins (Veregen). This cream is used for treatment of external genital warts and warts in or around the anal canal. Side effects, such as reddening of the skin, itching or burning, and pain, are often mild. Don't try to treat genital warts with over-the-counter wart removers.
How to diagnose genital warts?
Genital warts are often diagnosed by appearance. Sometimes a biopsy might be necessary.
How to remove warts from baby?
Surgical options include: Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy). Freezing works by causing a blister to form around your wart.
Does genital wart cream hurt?
This cream appears to boost your immune system's ability to fight genital warts. Avoid sexual contact while the cream is on your skin. It might weaken condoms and diaphragms and irritate your partner's skin. One possible side effect is skin redness. Other side effects might include blisters, body aches or pain, a cough, rashes, and fatigue.
Do warts return after treatment?
However, warts often return after treatment. There is no treatment for the virus itself.
How to get rid of a wart on your fingernail?
Nibbling the skin around your fingernails opens the door for the virus. Groom with care. And avoid brushing, clipping or shaving areas that have warts. If you must shave, use an electric razor. By Mayo Clinic Staff.
How long does it take for a wart to develop?
Common warts are caused by a virus and are transmitted by touch. It can take a wart as long as two to six months to develop after your skin has been exposed to the virus. Common warts are usually harmless and eventually disappear on their own.
How do warts spread?
Some strains of HPV are acquired through sexual contact. Most forms, however, are spread by casual skin contact or through shared objects, such as towels or washcloths. The virus usually spreads through breaks in your skin, such as a hangnail or a scrape. Biting your nails also can cause warts to spread on your fingertips and around your nails.
Where do warts usually occur?
Common warts usually occur on your fingers or hands and may be:
Can you contact warts?
Avoid direct contact with warts. This includes your own warts.
What is the procedure to treat warts?
Intralesional bleomycin: This procedure involves injecting the anti-cancer treatment drug called bleomycin into the wart. Doctors may use this method to treat persistent warts that have not responded to other forms of treatment.
How to remove warts?
Not all procedures for wart removal are equally effective. According to a 2011 review, scientists are yet to determine the effectiveness of the following procedures: 1 Intralesional bleomycin: This procedure involves injecting the anti-cancer treatment drug called bleomycin into the wart. Doctors may use this method to treat persistent warts that have not responded to other forms of treatment. 2 Pulsed dye laser: This involves directing concentrated beams of light into the wart. The light destroys blood vessels (capillaries) inside the wart but leaves the surrounding skin undamaged. 3 Surgical removal using curettage or cautery: A doctor may remove the wart by scooping it out with a rounded loop blade (curettage) or by burning it with a heated instrument (cautery).
How to get rid of warts on finger?
Treating warts with salicylic acid is an at-home remedy that may help remove warts from fingers.
What is the best cream for warts on the fingers?
Some doctors may prescribe imiquimod (Aldara) cream for treating warts on the fingers. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have only approved this cream to treat genital and perianal warts.
What causes warts in the body?
The contagious virus human papillomavirus (HPV) causes warts. Various strains of HPV that can lead to different types of wart.
What is the most expensive treatment for warts?
Photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid is a more expensive option for wart removal.
How much salicylic acid is used for HPV?
Salicylic acid is available in many different preparations and concentrations, but according to the American Family Physician (AAFP), most people use a preparation containing 17% salicylic acid.
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.
What is the best medicine for warts?
Stronger peeling medicine (salicylic acid). 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.
What does scraping off the top of a wart do?
Scraping off the top layer of the wart to check for signs of dark, pinpoint dots — clotted blood vessels — which are common with 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.
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 long does it take to get rid of a wart?
The goals of treatment are to destroy the wart, stimulate an immune system response to fight the virus, or both. Treatment may take weeks or months. Even with treatment, warts tend to recur or spread. Doctors generally start with the least painful methods, especially when treating young children.
