Learn About Wart Treatments

A wart is a small benign growth on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts are contagious; they can spread from one part of the body to another, and they can also be transmitted from one person to another. Thankfully, our clinic offers wart treatments to help you get rid of your warts whenever they appear.

Types of Warts

There are over 100 types of HPV, so there are different types of warts. Common warts are dome-shaped and rough. They can appear anywhere, but they are most commonly found on the hands, fingers, and knees.

Plantar warts develop on the feet. Flat or plane warts often appear in large groups and are most commonly found on the legs or face. Filiform warts have a long stalk and usually appear on the face. Periungual warts develop under or near nails.

Genital warts develop on the genitals, anus, or groin. They come in different sizes and shapes. Some are bumpy and look like cauliflower, while others show up as flat, white patches. They are less benign than other warts because they indicate an HPV infection.

Wart Treatments at Home

In many cases, warts will go away on their own. The process can take years, however, and the warts might spread in the meantime. Wart treatments typically don’t affect the HPV that caused the wart in the first place. Most people try home remedies before going to the doctor.

Salicylic acid is considered the safest and most effective home remedy for treating warts. Occlusal and Compound W are examples of over-the-counter treatments containing salicylic acid. Such treatments take around two or three months to get rid of warts.

There are also over-the-counter cryotherapy kits, like Dr. Scholl’s Freeze Away. They can be used for plantar or common warts but should not be used for genital warts.

With tape occlusion, the patient covers the wart with a piece of duct tape. After six days, the patient removes the tape and soaks the wart in water. They then file it down with a pumice stone or emery board and cover it with a new piece of tape. This treatment takes one or two months.

When Should Somebody Go to a Doctor?

If the home remedies don’t work, or if the warts actually get worse, it’s time to call the doctor. A patient with genital warts should always consult a doctor since the various home remedies are not recommended for use on the genitals. Similarly, a patient with warts on their face should see a doctor.

What Will the Doctor Do?

Often, medical wart treatments will be stronger versions of the home remedies and provide quicker results. The trusted team of dermatologists at Metro Dermatology have the expertise needed to provide you with a personalized treatment plan designed to help you get rid of your warts as quickly and easily as possible. Contact our office in Elmhurst today to learn more about the wart treatments we offer.