How to get wart treatment?
Dr. Alpana Mohta, board-certified dermatologist, talks about the treatment options for the different types of warts, explains when it is necessary to seek medical treatment, and tells you how to get it.
Table of Content:
What are warts? |
The best wart treatments |
OTC treatments for warts |
Prescription treatment for warts |
Medical procedures for wart removal |
How to get wart treatment near me? |
When should I seek medical treatment for warts? |
Wart causes |
Are warts contagious? |
Types of warts |
FAQ
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Key article points
- Definition: Warts are contagious small skin growths caused by various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), leading to an overgrowth of hard skin.
- Treatments: Over-the-counter options include salicylic acid and cryotherapy kits. Prescription treatments involve stronger salicylic acid, cantharidin, imiquimod, retinoids, diphencyprone, and podophyllin.
- Medical procedures: Cryotherapy, laser treatment, surgical removal, electrosurgery and curettage, and immunotherapy are available for wart removal.
- Causes and contagion: Warts are caused by HPV, which infects the superficial layers of the skin and is highly contagious through direct contact or surfaces touched by warts.
- When to seek help: Consult a healthcare professional if over-the-counter treatments fail, warts spread, they are located on the face or genital area, or if they become bothersome.
Do you have a wart that is not responding to over the counter treatment?
What are warts?
Warts are contagious small skin growths caused by different strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) which is a DNA virus with more than 100 HPV subtypes which is why warts may look so differently. HPV infects the superficial layers of the epidermis, causing the proliferation of skin cells and resulting in an overgrowth of hard skin1.
What are the best wart treatments?
Dr. Alpana Mohta, board-certified dermatologist and co-author of different articles about wart treatment mentions the different therapies used.
Over-the-counter treatments for warts
- Salicylic Acid: Available in various forms such as gels, liquids, and adhesive pads. This treatment involves applying the acid directly to the wart to gradually peel away the layers of the wart.
- Cryotherapy kits: These kits use a freezing agent (typically dimethyl ether and propane) to freeze and destroy wart tissue.
Prescription treatment for warts
Stronger salicylic acid formulations
Studies show that higher salicylic acid concentrations are effective treatment of warts2.
Use: common warts, plantar warts, and periungual warts.
Cantharidin (Cantharis, Cantharone)
Studies show that the topical application of Cantharidin (which causes a blister to form under the wart, lifting it off the skin) is also effective at treating warts3.
Use: common warts, plantar warts, flat warts, and periungual warts.
Imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara)
Topical immune response modifier used for genital warts and other types of warts in certain occasions.
Use: genital warts, flat warts, and stubborn common warts.
Retinoids
In studies, retinoid creams or gels (like tretinoin or adapalene) are successful in the treatment of flat warts4.
Use: flat warts and occasionally for resistant common warts.
Diphencyprone (DCP)
Studies show the topical application of DCP provoke an immune response against warts5.
Use: recalcitrant warts, periungual and subungual warts, mosaic warts, and stubborn common warts.
Podophyllin
Podophyllin binds to the DNA of the HPV infected cells, preventing them from dividing and multiplying, which leads to the eventual destruction of the wart tissue.
Use: Genital warts, florid warts over genital area called condylomata accuminata.
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Medical procedures for wart removal
- Cryotherapy: Performed by a healthcare provider, liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the wart.
- Laser treatment: An ablative CO2 laser or Erbium:YAG laser is used to burn and destroy wart tissue. Another type of laser, called Pulsed-dye Laser (PDL), targets and heats the blood in the wart’s small vessels, destroying them and causing the wart to necrose and fall off..
- Surgical removal: Cutting away the wart or using a curette to scrape it off.
- Electrosurgery and curettage: Burning the wart with an electric needle (electrosurgery) and scraping it off with a curette.
- Immunotherapy: Intralesional immunotherapy for warts is one of the most effective therapies for extensive and recalcitrant warts or warts over difficult-to-treat sites like subungual warts and genital warts. It involves injecting an immune-stimulating agent directly into the wart to activate the body’s immune response. Common agents used in this therapy include the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the Purified Protein Derivative of Tuberculin antigen, the Mycobacterium W vaccine, the Candida antigen and the Trichophyton antigen6 7 .
How can I get wart treatment near me?
Dr. Mohta says that many warts do not require an in-person treatment at a dermatology clinic near you as they can be treated at home with topical treatments.
If you have already used an over-the-counter wart removal kit and it didn’t work, you may need prescription treatment for your warts. To prescription wart treatment, all you have to do is submit a photo-consultation with a board-certified dermatologist via Miiskin, it is fairly simple, it takes less than 5 minutes and a dermatologist will review your case in 1-2 business days.
When should I seek medical treatment for warts?
Dr. Mohta says that it could take up to a year for warts to eventually go away without any treatment. Besides, due to their highly contagious nature, warts may spread to other body areas or to other people. Therefore, she recommends purchasing over-the-counter treatment and seeking medical help when these treatments do not work.
Consult a health care professional if:
- Over-the-counter wart treatments don’t work
- Warts are spreading to other places
- They are located in the face or genital area
- Warts are bothersome
Skin Health: Conditions & Treatments
What causes warts?
Warts are caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the superficial layers of the skin. This virus induces the proliferation of keratinocytes (skin cells), leading to the thickening and rough texture characteristic of warts. There are over 100 subtypes of HPV, each associated with different types of warts, such as common warts, plantar warts, flat warts and genital warts8.
Are warts contagious?
Yes, warts are highly contagious. They spread through direct contact with a wart or with surfaces that have been in contact with the wart, such as towels, razors, or floors in communal areas like swimming pools and locker rooms. The human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes warts, can enter the skin through small cuts or abrasions, leading to infection and the formation of new warts. Some types of warts, like genital warts, can also be spread through sexual contact. Maintaining good hygiene and avoiding direct contact with warts can help prevent their spread9.
What are the different types of warts?
Common warts (Verruca vulgaris)
Location: Hands, fingers, elbows, knees
Characteristics: Rough, raised bumps with a grainy surface
Plantar warts (Verruca plantaris)
Location: Soles of the feet
Characteristics: Flat, painful, often with black dots (clotted blood vessels)
Flat warts (Verruca plana)
Location: Face, neck, hands, wrists, knees
Characteristics: Small, smooth, flat-topped, often appear in large numbers
Filiform warts
Location: Face, around the mouth, beard area, eyes, nose, neck folds
Characteristics: Long, slender, thread-like growths
Periungual and subungual warts
Location: Around or under the nails
Characteristics: Rough, can affect nail growth and cause pain
Genital warts (Condylomata Acuminata)
Location: Genital and anal areas
Characteristics: Flesh-colored, cauliflower-like appearance, sexually transmitted
Mosaic warts
Location: Soles of the feet
Characteristics: Clusters of tightly packed plantar warts
Myrmecia warts
Location: Soles of the feet
Characteristics: Deep, painful, caused by a specific HPV strain
Mucosal warts
Location: Mucous membranes (inside the mouth, throat, respiratory tract
Characteristics: Different from genital warts, require special treatment
Cystic warts
Location: Under the skin
Characteristics: Cyst-like structures that look like cysts but they are rare and painful
Skin Conditions: Types and Treatments
Frequently asked questions about warts
Can you get warts even if you got the HPV vaccine?
Dr. Mohta says that you can still get warts even if you receive the HPV vaccine. There are over 100 different strains of HPV, and many of them can cause warts on various parts of the body, including common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts. The vaccine primarily targets HPV types 16 and 18, which are associated with a high risk of cancer, and types 6 and 11, which cause the majority of genital cervical and anal warts.
Are all warts caused by the same thing?
Dr. Mohta says that warts are caused by different strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and each type can cause different types of warts, such as common warts, plantar warts, flat warts, and genital warts. The specific strain of HPV determines the type and location of the wart.
How can I treat water warts (molluscum contagiosum)?
Dr. Mohta says that water warts (medically known as molluscum contagiosum) are not “real warts” since they are a viral skin infection caused by a Pox virus, called molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), instead of the HPV virus. They appear as small, raised, pearly or flesh-colored bumps with a central dimple and commonly occur on the face, neck, arms, hands, and genital area. This condition is highly contagious, spreading through direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with contaminated objects such as towels and clothing. While generally harmless and self-limiting, water warts can persist for several months and may require treatment to prevent spreading and alleviate discomfort10.
How can I treat water warts in a child?
Dr. Mohta says treatment options for water warts in children include extirpation using needle microincision, applications of imiquimod, cryotherapy, or curettage. Keeping the lesions covered can help prevent spreading, and ensuring the child does not scratch the bumps is important.
What are some home treatments for seborrheic warts?
Dr. Mohta says that seborrheic warts, also known as seborrheic keratoses, are benign skin growths that can often be managed at home. Home treatments may include over-the-counter creams containing retinoids or alpha hydroxy acids, which can help to soften and reduce the appearance of the warts. However, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis and discuss appropriate treatment options.
How does cantharidin wart treatment work?
Dr. Mohta says that cantharidin wart treatment involves applying a blistering agent to the wart, causing a blister to form under it. This lifts the wart off the skin, allowing it to be easily removed. The blistered area usually heals within a week or two.
How does Beetlejuice wart treatment work?
Dr. Mohta says that the “Beetlejuice” wart treatment involves applying cantharidin, a blistering agent derived from blister beetles, to the wart. This causes a blister to form under the wart, lifting it off the skin. The treatment is usually administered by a healthcare provider, and the blistered area typically heals within a week or two.
What should I do if I get a blister after wart treatment?
Dr. Mohta says that if you get a blister after wart treatment, keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection. Avoid popping the blister, as this can lead to infection and delay healing. You can cover the blister with a sterile bandage to protect it. If the blister is painful or shows signs of infection (such as increased redness, warmth, or pus), consult your healthcare provider for further advice.
How is salicylic acid used in wart treatment?
Dr. Mohta says that salicylic acid is used in wart treatment by applying it directly to the wart to exfoliate the skin and gradually remove the wart layers. It’s available in various forms such as gels, liquids, and adhesive pads. Consistent daily application is typically required, and it’s most effective when combined with soaking the wart and filing away dead skin.
What do black dots in a wart after treatment mean?
Dr. Mohta says that black dots in a wart after treatment are usually clotted blood vessels that have been exposed as the wart tissue is broken down. These dots, often referred to as “wart seeds,” indicate that the treatment is working and the wart is being effectively targeted.
Can apple cider vinegar be used to treat warts?
Apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy for warts, believed to work by peeling away the infected skin. To use, soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the wart, covering with a bandage overnight. However, according to Dr. Mohta, its effectiveness is not scientifically proven, and it can cause skin irritation, so it’s best to avoid this DIY remedy
How can I find plantar wart treatment near me?
It may not be necessary to find plantar wart treatment near you as treatment options include topical prescription medications. If you need a same-day dermatology appointment to get a prescription for wart treatment you can have a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist via Miiskin. In most cases you will get your prescription the same day.
What is the best treatment for a wart under the fingernail (subungual or periungual warts)?
The best treatment for a wart under the fingernail (subungual wart) often involves cryotherapy, where the wart is frozen off, or the application of cantharidin. In some cases, intralesional immunotherapy, surgical removal or laser therapy may be necessary if the wart is resistant to other treatments. Consulting a dermatologist for an evaluation and treatment plan is recommended.
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What are the treatment options for tongue warts?
Tongue warts, caused by HPV, can be treated with various methods depending on their size and location. Treatment options include topical treatments like electrocautery, radiofrequency ablation, cryotherapy, laser therapy, or surgical removal. It’s essential to consult a healthcare provider or a specialist in oral medicine for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
What is the best treatment for facial flat warts?
Dr. Mohta says that facial flat warts can be treated with topical retinoids to reduce cell growth, salicylic acid to exfoliate, and cryotherapy to freeze the warts. Laser therapy and chemical peels are other options for removing these warts. Intralesional immunotherapy and prescription drugs like imiquimod may also be effective for more stubborn cases.
What is the best treatment for genital warts?
Dr. Mohta says genital warts can be treated by self-administered prescription medications such as imiquimod, podophyllotoxin, and sinecatechins. Other treatments include cryotherapy to freeze the warts, laser therapy, surgical removal, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) applications. It’s important to seek treatment from a healthcare provider due to the sensitive nature of the area.11
What is the best treatment for anal warts?
Anal warts can be treated by self-administered topical medications like imiquimod, podophyllotoxin, and sinecatechins. Cryotherapy, laser therapy, and surgical removal are other effective treatment options. Due to the sensitive and potentially complicated nature of anal warts, it’s best to seek treatment from a healthcare provider.12
What is the best treatment for hand warts?
Dr. Mohta says that hand warts can be treated with over-the-counter salicylic acid products, cryotherapy kits, or by seeing a healthcare provider for treatments like cantharidin, stronger salicylic acid formulations, or cryotherapy. Keeping the hands clean and dry, and avoiding picking at the warts, can help prevent spreading.
What are the treatment options for mosaic warts?
Dr. Mohta says that mosaic warts, which are clusters of plantar warts, can be treated with stronger salicylic acid formulations, cantharidin, cryotherapy, or laser therapy. These warts are often more challenging to treat due to their dense clustering, and professional treatment is recommended for effective results.
How can mouth warts be treated?
Mouth warts, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), cannot be treated with self-administered medication due to the sensitivity of the oral mucosa and the risk of improper application. Medical intervention is recommended, including cryotherapy (freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen), laser treatment, surgical removal. Consulting a dermatologist or a dentist is best to evaluate the warts and determine the most appropriate treatment.
How can I treat a lip wart?
Lip warts can be treated with topical applications of imiquimod or salicylic acid, cryotherapy to freeze the wart, or laser therapy. Given the sensitive nature of the lips, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the best and safest treatment option.
This article is also available in Spanish Tratamiento para verrugas, mezquinos y ojos de pescado.
Article References:
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448132/
2 https://academic.oup.com/pch/article/19/3/126/2647185
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9342431/
4 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dth.14637
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3870211/
6 https://dpcj.org/index.php/dpc/article/view/1839
7 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/pde.14280
8 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448132/
9 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15045-warts
10 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441898/
11 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441884/
12 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547667/
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