What Are Warts and What Causes Them?

Warts are small, rough growths on the skin caused by infection with certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are generally harmless, but can be embarrassing and painful. However, effective treatments are available to safely remove warts.

The Most Common Types of Warts

There are several types of warts, classified by their appearance and location:

Common Warts

Common warts have a rough, bumpy texture and most often occur on hands and knees.

Plantar Warts

These warts grow on the soles of the feet and can be painful to walk on.

Flat Warts

Flat warts are smooth, flat-topped spots generally found on the face, legs, or arms.

Genital Warts

Genital warts occur in the genital area and are sexually transmitted.

Who Gets Warts and Why

Anyone can get warts, but they tend to affect children, teens, and young adults more often. Warts are contagious and spread through direct contact, so locations like schools, locker rooms, and public pools raise risk. Those with weakened immune systems also have higher likelihood of contracting warts.

When to Seek Treatment

In most cases, the body’s immune system will eventually defeat the virus and cause warts to disappear without treatment, typically within 1-2 years. However, prompt treatment is recommended if warts are:

• Painful, irritating, or bleeding
• Spreading to new areas
• Numerous in quantity
• Bothersome due to appearance or location
• Affecting healthy daily activities

The Pros and Cons of Common Wart Removal Options

Various methods exist to destroy warts, each with advantages and disadvantages regarding effectiveness, cost, pain, scarring risk, and more:

Cryotherapy

Freezing warts with liquid nitrogen is a popular, inexpensive, and effective option. Multiple treatments may be needed for stubborn warts. Temporary pain, blistering, and scarring can occur.

Salicylic Acid

Non-prescription wart removal products utilize salicylic acid to gradually peel away layers of infected skin until the wart disappears, with minimal side effects. However, this slower method requires diligent application for up to 12 weeks before resolution.

Laser Therapy

Dermatologists can precisely target warts with selective photothermolysis without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Lasers work rapidly, but specialists and equipment involved increase costs significantly.

Surgical Removal

Cutting out warts surgically under local anesthesia produces immediate, guaranteed results. Nonetheless, this invasive approach heightens risks for infection, scarring, lack of aesthetic outcome, and recurrence.

Natural Remedies

Home treatments like duct tape, apple cider vinegar, garlic, tea tree oil, and banana peels have anecdotal backing, though limited concrete evidence proves efficacy. Still, these inexpensive do-it-yourself options may be worth attempting before other more aggressive avenues.

How to Prevent Warts

You can reduce changes of developing warts by:

• Not picking at or touching existing warts to avoid spread
• Keeping feet dry and wearing shower shoes in public areas
• Covering warts with bandages/plasters if on hands or feet
• Getting the HPV vaccine – protects against strains most likely to cause genital warts and cervical cancer
• Practicing safe sex and limiting partners if sexually active

When to See a Doctor About Wart Removal

You should consult a dermatologist or podiatrist if:

• Warts are widespread, recurring after treatment, or not responding to OTC remedies
• Genital warts or warts on face/neck are present
• Immune deficiency makes it hard for your body to clear the virus
• Warts are causing you significant distress or discomfort

The Best At-Home Wart Removal Options

These products available at local pharmacies can effectively cure warts with regular application:

Compound W Fast-Acting Gel

Contains a 17% concentration salicylic acid in an easy-to-apply gel form. Gently loosens dead skin cells until wart disappears.

Dr. Scholl’s Clear Away Wart Remover

Includes 7 peel-away medicated discs with salicylic acid that stick on top of warts to slowly destroy layers of skin until removal.

WartStick Maximum Strength

This precision applicator allows direct spot treatment of warts for better absorption of active ingredients and faster action than salicylic acid alone.

When and How to Use Duct Tape for Wart Removal

Studies show simply applying and keeping duct tape on top of warts can stimulate immune response and successfully eliminate warts. To use:

• Clean and dry wart area thoroughly
• Apply a duct tape strip slightly larger than the wart directly over it
• Replace tape every 5-7 days until wart disappears, up to 2 months
• Soak wart and rub surface with pumice stone or washcloth to remove dead skin layers between applications

Should You Try “Wart Off” Freeze Spray Treatment?

Wart Off is an over-the-counter cryotherapy product allowing you to freeze warts at home using dimethyl ether propane gas. Benefits include low cost, speed, and not needing a doctor appointment. However, take care using Wart Off as the extreme cold can cause skin injury if applied incorrectly or too long per area. Follow instructions carefully and check for skin discoloration, blistering, or excessive redness after wart removal treatment.

When Are Prescription Medications Necessary?

For severe, resistant cases of warts not improving with other therapies, a doctor may prescribe:

• Imiquimod cream – Immunomodulator that stimulates immune cells to destroy wart virus.
• Ingenol mebutate gel – Derived from plant sap, causes rapid wart cell death.
• Interferon injections – Boosts immune response against wart virus.
• Bleomycin injections – Chemotherapy drug injected right into warts.
• Cidofovir injections – Antiviral medication also used to treat eye infections in AIDS patients.

These powerful medications have potential for side effects so warrant physician monitoring.

Does Hypnosis Really Work to Get Rid of Warts?

A handful of studies have observed hypnosis sessions successfully eliminating warts without any other treatment. Under hypnosis, the patient visualizes their immune system attacking the wart virus until it disappears. Critics argue more research on larger samples is needed to truly demonstrate effectiveness. Currently, using hypnosis as a lone therapy for warts remains controversial. For many, it likely depends on an individual’s suggestibility.

FAQs

Can I spread warts to other parts of my own body?

Yes. Touching, scratching, or picking at warts then touching another area of skin can transfer the virus and cause more warts to grow. Keep warts covered with bandages or tape when possible.

If I have a wart, should I avoid swimming pools and hot tubs?

As long as your wart is covered with waterproof dressing, swimming should not increase risk of transmission or hinder treatment. However, walking barefoot in locker rooms or public showers could spread virus so wear flip flops.

How long after a wart disappears should I continue treatment?

Most experts recommend continuing the medication or wearing duct tape for 2-3 more weeks after the wart seems gone to ensure all root-like remnants under the skin have been eliminated. Stopping therapy prematurely risks the wart recurring in the same spot.

Can warts turn into skin cancer?

No. Warts have no relation to skin cancer. They are harmless skin growths caused by different viruses.

Why do some warts resolve without treatment in certain cases?

Experts aren’t exactly sure why the body suddenly “kicks in” to defeat warts virus on its own in some people. Possible explanations include hormone changes, immune system fluctuations, or mutations of the virus into less aggressive strains. Luck and chance may also play roles.