wart treatment options overview

Overview

A wart is a small, rough growth on the skin caused by a viral infection. They are usually harmless and often go away on their own, but treatments can help remove them faster.

Yes, warts are very common, especially in children and young adults.

Anyone can get warts, but they are more common in people with weakened immune systems, those who frequently use communal showers or pools, and those who bite their nails or have skin injuries.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Small, rough, raised growth on the skin
• Firm to the touch
• A cauliflower-like surface
• Tiny black dots within the wart (dried blood vessels)
• Usually painless, though warts on the feet can be tender

Symptoms in children

• Warts in children often appear on hands, knees, and face.
• They are usually harmless and may disappear without any treatment.

Symptoms in older adults

• Warts in older adults can be harder to treat because the immune system is weaker.
• They can also look similar to age-related skin growths, so a doctor may need to check them.

Causes

Main causes

• Warts are caused by direct contact with human papillomavirus (HPV).
• The virus enters the skin through tiny cuts or damaged skin.
• It can be passed through skin-to-skin contact or by touching contaminated surfaces such as shower floors, towels, or shared objects.

Risk factors

• Having skin that is frequently wet or damaged
• Using communal showers, swimming pools, or gyms
• A weakened immune system due to illness or medication
• Nail biting or thumb sucking
• Direct contact with someone who has warts

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• See a doctor or local clinic urgently if you have a wart on your face or genitals.
• Also seek urgent care if a wart bleeds easily, feels painful, grows quickly, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.

Book a routine appointment if:

• Make a routine appointment if a wart has not gone away after two years, is bothersome, or causes embarrassment.
• A GP or dermatologist can offer more effective treatments.

Diagnosis

A doctor can usually diagnose a wart by looking at its appearance. In rare cases, they may remove a small piece to check it under a microscope (a biopsy).

Tests that may be done

• Visual examination by a doctor or nurse
• Dermoscopy (using a magnifying lens) to see the surface clearly
• Biopsy, but only if the diagnosis is unclear or the wart does not respond to treatment

What to expect at your appointment

Your doctor will ask how long the wart has been there, whether it has changed, and if you have any other skin conditions. They will look at the area and discuss treatment options based on your age, health, and where the wart is located.

Treatment

Treatment is not always needed, as warts often disappear on their own. When treatment is chosen, the goal is to remove the wart and encourage your immune system to clear the virus. Treatments can be done at home or by a healthcare professional.

Self-care at home

• Keep the area clean and dry.
• Do not pick at the wart – this can spread the virus.
• Use an over-the-counter wart treatment and follow the instructions carefully. These products gradually peel away the wart over time.
• Soak the wart in warm water and gently file it with a disposable file before applying treatment.
• Cover the wart with a plaster or tape as advised by a pharmacist, as some people find this helps.

Medical treatments

Medical treatments include freezing the wart (cryotherapy), laser treatment, or minor surgical removal. A doctor may also prescribe stronger topical treatments (creams or solutions) for stubborn warts. These can cause mild skin irritation but are generally safe. The choice depends on the type of wart, where it is, and how long it has been present.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is considered when warts are very large, painful, or have not responded to other treatments. It is usually done with a local anaesthetic and involves cutting the wart out. Scarring can occur, so it is not a first-line option.

Living with this condition

Most warts do not limit daily life. You can wash, swim, and exercise as normal, but keep the wart covered with a waterproof plaster if possible to reduce spreading. Avoid direct contact with other people's warts and do not share towels or shoes.

Lifestyle tips

• Keep your feet dry, especially between the toes.
• Wear flip-flops or sandals in communal showers and changing rooms.
• Do not bite your nails or bite at the wart.
• Wash your hands well after touching a wart.

Diet and exercise

A balanced diet and regular exercise help keep your immune system strong, which may help fight off the virus. No specific food has been shown to cure warts.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Warts can sometimes cause embarrassment or make people feel self-conscious, especially if they appear on visible areas like the hands or face. It can help to talk to a trusted person or a healthcare professional about how you feel. Remember, these growths are common and are not a sign of poor hygiene.

Prevention

You can reduce the risk of getting warts by avoiding direct contact with warts, keeping feet dry, not walking barefoot in public places, and not picking at your own skin. Since the virus enters through cuts, keeping skin healthy and moisturized may also help.

Vaccines

The HPV vaccine helps protect against certain high-risk types of HPV linked to cancers (such as cervical cancer) and genital warts. It does not protect against all types of warts that appear on hands or feet, and it is not a treatment for existing warts.

Complications

If left untreated

• Most warts stay harmless and eventually clear without treatment.
• Warts may spread to other parts of the body or to other people.
• If you pick at a wart, it can become infected or bleed.
• Warts on the soles of the feet (plantar warts) can become painful and may affect walking.

Long-term outlook

The outlook is very good. With or without treatment, most warts clear up within one to two years. Treatments can speed this up, but warts may return because the virus remains in the skin. If a wart does not go away, a doctor can offer other options. There is always hope for effective management.

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