Common Warts – Diagnosis and Treatment

Warts show up as small growths on the skin. Most of the time, they’re harmless. They’re benign, so you don’t need to worry about cancer or dangerous spreading.

Certain viruses cause warts. They sneak in through tiny cuts or scratches in the skin.

Warts can look different depending on their type and where they pop up. Some people don’t feel any pain, but others want them gone for comfort or looks.

Diagnosis

Doctors usually examine the skin growth closely. They might gently scrape the wart’s surface to check for tiny dark dots—those are small blood vessels, a classic sign in types like verruca vulgaris.

Sometimes, doctors remove a small piece of the wart and send it to a lab. They want to make sure it’s not something else.

Table: Common Features Noted During Examination

Feature	Description
Appearance	Rough, raised bumps
Pinpoint black dots	Tiny blood vessels
Location	Hands, feet, or other areas

Different types—plantar, flat, palmar, mosaic, filiform, periungual—can look pretty unique, but all come from the human papillomavirus (HPV).

This virus spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact or by sharing personal items, especially if your immune system isn’t at its best.

Treatment

Taking Care of Warts at Home

A lot of people try to treat warts themselves before seeing a doctor. The main goal is to get rid of the wart or help the immune system fight it off.

You can start several treatments at home, but they’re best if you have a healthy immune system and don’t have diabetes.

Nonprescription Wart Removers
You’ll find plenty of over-the-counter products with salicylic acid. They come as liquids, gels, or medicated pads. Most have about 17% salicylic acid. Apply them once a day, and keep at it for several weeks.

• Instructions:
  1. Soak the wart in warm water for a few minutes.
  2. Use the product as the label says.
  3. Between treatments, remove dead skin with a disposable emery board or pumice stone.

If your skin gets sore or irritated, take a break from the treatment. Pregnant? It’s safest to check with your healthcare provider before using acid-based products.

Table: Comparison of At-Home Wart Removal Products

Product Type	Main Ingredient	How Often to Use	Other Tools Needed	Common Brands
Liquid/Gel/Pad	Salicylic acid	Daily for several weeks	Emery board, pumice stone	Compound W, Dr. Scholl’s Clear Away
Freezing Sprays	Liquid nitrogen	As directed per package	None	Compound W Freeze Off, Dr. Scholl’s Freeze Away

Freezing Treatments at Home
You can buy freezing sprays with liquid nitrogen at the drugstore. These freeze the wart, kind of like what doctors do, but they’re not as strong. Always follow the instructions and don’t use them on broken or irritated skin.

Duct Tape Method
Some individuals try duct tape, though it doesn’t work for everyone. To try it:

• Keep duct tape on the wart for six days.
• After removing it, soak the area and gently scrape away dead skin.
• Let the skin air out for about 12 hours, then repeat.
• Use a new emery board or pumice stone each time.

This method can take a while—weeks or even months—and results aren’t guaranteed.

General Tips

• Wash your hands before and after touching or treating warts.
• Don’t treat warts on your face or genitals, or if you have a weak immune system, unless a doctor says it’s okay.
• Avoid picking or scratching warts, since that spreads the virus.

When to Seek Medical Help

Home treatments help many people, but not always. See a healthcare provider if:

• The wart hurts, spreads, or changes how it looks.
• Home care hasn’t worked after a few months.
• You have diabetes or poor circulation.

Other Over-the-Counter Options and Tools

• Cantharidin: Healthcare providers sometimes use this, but you won’t find it in most home kits.
• Pumice stones and emery boards: Good for removing dead skin, but don’t share them—it’s an easy way to spread the virus.
• Over-the-counter freezing kits: Use carefully, and watch for redness, blisters, or swelling.

Note: Some treatments might irritate your skin or change its color. Always read the instructions and don’t use them on broken or infected skin.

If you stick with these methods, you might see the wart shrink or fall off over time. Still, warts can come back, or new ones might show up nearby. Patience matters—a lot of these treatments take weeks or months.

If nothing’s working, doctors can offer stronger solutions, minor surgery, lasers, or even injection treatments.

Getting Ready for Your Medical Visit

Steps You Can Take Beforehand

Making a checklist before your appointment helps you remember everything. Bring a list of all your medicines, vitamins, and supplements. Write down the name, dose, and how often you take each one.

It’s smart to jot down questions for your healthcare provider. Here are some ideas:

• Why did I get these warts?
• Can warts come back after removal?
• Which removal options fit my situation?
• What side effects should I expect?
• Are there other treatments if the first one doesn’t work?
• If you’re not sure it’s a wart, what tests will you do?
• How can I prevent new warts?

Having this info ready makes your visit smoother. Write things down so you don’t forget. A notepad or your phone can help during the visit.

Bring any pictures or records of past treatments and results if you have them. If you took photos of the area before, show them to your provider—they might help track changes.

If doctor visits make you nervous, bring a friend or family member. They can support you and help remember what the doctor says.

What the Healthcare Professional Might Ask

During your visit, your provider will probably ask questions to get a better picture of what’s going on. Here are some common ones:

Question	Purpose
When did the warts first appear?	To find out how long you’ve had the problem.
Have you had warts before?	To see if this keeps happening.
What bothers you most about the warts?	To learn if they’re painful, embarrassing, or something else.
What treatments have you tried?	To avoid repeating things that didn’t help.
How long did you use those treatments?	To check if you gave treatments enough time.
What worked and what didn’t?	To help decide what to try next.

They might also ask about other symptoms, changes, or any health conditions you have. Your provider will look at your skin, ask about family history, and find out what makes things better or worse.

Try to answer as clearly as you can. The more info you give, the easier it is for your doctor or dermatologist to suggest the best treatment. Being open and prepared really helps.