Warts are common, noncancerous skin growths caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts can develop on the hands, feet, face or other areas of the body and affect people of all ages, including children. While some warts disappear without treatment, others can spread, become painful or persist for months or even years.
If you have a wart that isn’t improving or you’re unsure of the best treatment, a dermatologist can help determine the safest and most effective approach. Understanding your treatment options — and knowing when it’s time to seek professional care — can help you protect your skin and reduce the risk of spreading warts.
What causes warts?
Warts develop when HPV enters the skin through tiny cuts or breaks. The virus causes skin cells to grow more rapidly, creating the raised bumps we recognize as warts.
HPV can spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or, less commonly, through contact with contaminated surfaces such as locker room floors, pool decks or shared personal items. Warts are common in children and teens, but adults can develop them as well.
Several types of warts exist, including:
- Common warts: Usually found on the fingers and hands.
- Plantar warts: Develop on the soles of the feet and may become painful when walking.
- Flat warts: Smaller, smoother warts that often appear on the face, arms or legs.
- Filiform warts: Long, narrow warts that commonly develop around the eyes, nose or mouth.
A dermatologist can identify the type of wart you have and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Can warts go away on their own?
Yes. Some warts disappear as your immune system fights the virus. However, this process can take months or even years.
Treatment may be recommended if a wart:
- Causes pain or discomfort
- Continues to grow or spread
- Bleeds or becomes irritated
- Interferes with daily activities
- Is located on the face or another cosmetically sensitive area
- Doesn’t improve with over-the-counter treatment
Wart removal treatment options
Several safe and effective treatments are available. The right option depends on the type of wart, its location, your age and your overall health.
- Salicylic Acid: Available without a prescription, salicylic acid gradually removes layers of the wart over time. It is often recommended for common warts but requires consistent daily use over several weeks.
- Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart, destroying the affected tissue so the wart gradually sloughs off as the skin heals. This is one of the most common in-office treatments performed by dermatologists and may require more than one treatment session.
- Cantharidin: Cantharidin is a topical medication applied by a dermatologist that causes a blister to form beneath the wart, allowing the wart tissue to separate from the surrounding skin. It is commonly used for selected types of warts.
- Minor In-Office Procedures: For larger, thicker or persistent warts, your dermatologist may recommend an in-office procedure to remove or reduce the wart after discussing the most appropriate treatment options for your situation.
- Laser Treatment: Laser therapy may be considered for selected or treatment-resistant warts that have not responded to more conservative treatments. Your dermatologist can determine whether this option is appropriate for your condition.
Should you try home remedies?
Many home remedies for wart removal circulate online, including duct tape, apple cider vinegar and garlic. While some people report success, scientific evidence supporting these treatments is limited.
Avoid attempting to cut, burn or remove a wart yourself. These methods can damage healthy skin, increase the risk of infection and make future treatment more difficult.
If a wart is painful, changing in appearance or not responding to home treatment, schedule an evaluation with a dermatologist.
When should you see a dermatologist?
Professional evaluation is recommended if:
- The wart is painful.
- It continues to spread.
- Home treatments haven’t worked.
- The wart keeps returning.
- You’re unsure whether the growth is actually a wart.
- You have diabetes, poor circulation or a weakened immune system.
- The wart develops on your face or another sensitive area.
Some skin cancers, benign skin growths and other skin conditions can resemble warts. If you’re unsure what you’re seeing, it’s important to have the area evaluated rather than trying to treat it yourself.
A dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate based on the type, size and location of the wart.
What to expect during wart removal
During your appointment, your dermatologist will examine the affected area and determine the type of wart you have. Based on its size, location and how long you’ve had it, your provider will recommend the treatment most appropriate for your condition.
Many wart removal procedures are performed in the office and require little or no downtime. Depending on the treatment selected, additional visits may be needed to completely remove the wart.
Your dermatologist will also provide aftercare instructions to support healing and help reduce the risk of recurrence.
Preventing future warts
Although it’s not always possible to prevent warts, these habits can help reduce your risk:
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Avoid picking at existing warts, as this can spread the virus to other areas of your skin.
- Don’t share towels, razors or other personal care items.
- Wear sandals or flip-flops in public locker rooms, pool areas and communal showers.
- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered.
- Follow your dermatologist’s treatment plan if you’ve had recurring warts.
Wart removal at Steele Dermatology
Steele Dermatology provides expert diagnosis and treatment for common skin conditions, including warts. Patients in Atlanta, Buckhead and Alpharetta receive personalized care based on the type of wart, its location and their individual skin health needs.
Whether you’ve tried over-the-counter treatments without success or simply want a professional evaluation, the team at Steele Dermatology can recommend an appropriate treatment plan designed to remove the wart safely and effectively.
Schedule an evaluation
If you have a wart that is painful, spreading or simply won’t go away, don’t wait to have it evaluated. Early diagnosis can help ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment while reducing the risk of additional warts developing.
Schedule an appointment with Steele Dermatology to discuss your wart removal options and receive personalized care from an experienced dermatology team serving patients throughout Atlanta, Buckhead and Alpharetta.
