Warts, while generally harmless, can be bothersome and unsightly. Although they often disappear on their own over time, treatment options are available for those seeking quicker solutions.
Dr. Brittney Schultz, MD, a dermatologist at M Health Fairview and the University of Minnesota Medical School, explains that wart treatment depends on various factors, including the wart’s appearance, location, and the individual’s immune response. “Treatment strategies are tailored based on these factors,” she says.
Warts are caused by exposure to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which has over 100 different types. Some strains of HPV can lead to warts through skin-to-skin contact or touching shared surfaces. Warts can even spread from one part of your body to another.
Main Causes of Warts
HPV is highly contagious, and different strains can lead to warts on various parts of the body. For instance, certain strains may cause warts on the hands and feet, while others may appear on the genitals. Not all HPV strains cause warts, however. According to Cleveland Clinic and Healthline, warts include:
- Common warts
- Plantar warts
- Genital warts
- Mosaic warts
- Flat warts
- Butcher’s warts
- Filiform warts
- Focal epithelial hyperplasia (Heck’s disease)
- Periungual warts
Can I Remove My Own Warts?
Dr. Schultz notes that warts will often go away on their own, but this process can take years. Because HPV can evade detection by the immune system, treatments typically aim to irritate the skin and stimulate an immune response.
Over-the-counter anti-wart products containing salicylic acid are commonly used. These products work by gradually dissolving the wart layer by layer. They come in various forms such as patches, liquids, or gels. While effective, these treatments may require months or even years to fully resolve the wart.
Effective Treatments for Warts
If you experience pain, notice that your wart is spreading, or find that over-the-counter treatments aren’t working, consulting a doctor may be necessary.
There’s no universal solution for wart removal, as some treatments work better for certain individuals. Dr. Schultz points out that cryotherapy is a popular in-office treatment. This involves spraying the wart with liquid nitrogen to destroy the skin tissue around it. Combining cryotherapy with salicylic acid products can enhance healing.
Additional treatments include injections of candida antigen or bleomycin, which have shown effectiveness in some cases. Laser therapy has also been found to be a promising method for wart removal. For genital warts, prescription topical creams like Aldara (imiquimod) are commonly prescribed.
Consulting a healthcare professional will help determine the best treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
