wart that comes and goes

Overview

A wart is a small, rough growth on the skin caused by a common virus. When we say a wart 'comes and goes,' it means the wart may shrink, disappear for a while, and then return on the same spot or somewhere nearby. This happens because the virus that causes the wart can stay asleep in your skin cells and wake up later.

Yes, warts are very common. Most people will get at least one wart at some point in their lives.

Warts can affect people of all ages, but they are most common in children and teenagers. They also tend to persist longer in people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• A small, rough bump on the skin that may be skin-colored, pink, brown, or slightly darker than your skin.
• A flat or raised area, often on the hands, fingers, knees, or soles of the feet.
• Tiny black dots on the surface, which are small blood vessels that have clotted.
• The wart may shrink or disappear for a while and then show up again in the same spot, or a new wart may appear nearby.

Symptoms in children

• Warts in children often appear on the hands, knees, and around the fingernails.
• They are usually painless and may resolve on their own faster than in adults.
• Children may be more likely to spread them through normal play and contact.

Symptoms in older adults

• Warts may last longer and be more persistent in older adults.
• They can be mistaken for other skin growths, so a doctor’s check is helpful.
• Warts may appear in areas where the skin is damaged or dry and cracked.

Causes

Main causes

• Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters the skin through tiny cuts, scrapes, or breaks.
• The virus can remain inactive in the skin for long periods, which is why a wart may seem to come and go.
• Direct contact with a wart on your own body or someone else’s body can spread the virus.

Risk factors

• Small cuts, scratches, or areas of dry, cracked skin.
• Biting nails, picking at skin, or shaving over a wart.
• Using shared showers, swimming pools, or walking barefoot in public places.
• Having a weakened immune system due to illness, medication, or stress.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If a wart or surrounding skin shows signs of infection (increasing pain, redness, swelling, pus, or fever).
• If the wart grows rapidly, changes in appearance, or starts bleeding a lot.

Book a routine appointment if:

• If a wart lasts longer than a few months or keeps coming back after treatment.
• If warts spread to multiple areas or appear on your face, hands, or genitals.
• If you are an adult over 40 and develop a new wart – it may be worth checking with your doctor.
• If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system and notice wart problems.

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider can usually tell if a growth is a wart simply by looking at it. They may ask about your symptoms, how long the wart has been there, and whether it has come and gone.

Tests that may be done

• In most cases, no tests are needed.
• If the diagnosis is not completely clear, a doctor may take a small sample of the growth (biopsy) and send it to a lab to rule out other skin conditions.

What to expect at your appointment

The visit is usually quick and comfortable. The doctor will examine the area, likely with a magnifying lens or special light, and may touch the wart gently. You will not need any special preparation. They may recommend a course of action or reassure you that watching and waiting is fine.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to remove the visible wart and help your immune system clear the virus. Because the virus can remain in nearby skin, warts may return even after treatment. Patience is important – many treatments take several weeks.

Self-care at home

• You can buy wart treatments at a pharmacy without a prescription. These are usually applied directly to the wart. Follow the package instructions carefully and protect the surrounding healthy skin.
• Soaking the wart in warm water and gently rubbing the surface with an emery board or pumice stone between treatments can help remove dead layers.
• Keep the wart and the surrounding area clean and dry, and avoid picking at the wart to prevent the virus from spreading.

Medical treatments

A healthcare provider can offer other approaches if over-the-counter treatments do not work. These may include freezing the wart (cryotherapy) to destroy it, applying stronger topical creams or solutions, using laser treatment, or other office-based techniques. The choice of treatment depends on where the wart is, how big it is, and how it has responded before.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely needed for common warts. A doctor may suggest cutting the wart out if it is very painful, has not responded to other treatments, or if the diagnosis needs to be confirmed.

Living with this condition

Warts are annoying but manageable. Try not to touch or scratch them, and wash your hands often. If you have a wart, keep it covered with a bandage when it could come into contact with other people’s skin or shared surfaces.

Lifestyle tips

• Wear flip-flops or water shoes in public showers, locker rooms, and pool areas.
• Do not bite your nails when you have a wart near your fingers – this can spread the virus to your mouth and other fingers.
• Keep your skin moisturized with a simple lotion to avoid cracks and cuts where the virus can enter.

Diet and exercise

Eating a balanced diet and getting regular physical activity can help support your immune system, which is your body’s best defense against the virus that causes warts.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Warts can feel embarrassing, especially when they are on visible parts of your body. Remember that they are very common and not your fault. If you feel self-conscious or upset, it may help to talk to a trusted friend or a healthcare professional. If feelings of anxiety or sadness become overwhelming, please reach out to a mental health crisis service or call your local emergency number for support.

Prevention

You can lower the risk of getting warts and spreading them by practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands regularly, avoid touching other people’s warts, and keep your feet covered in communal areas. If you already have a wart, cover it and avoid sharing towels, razors, or nail clippers.

Vaccines

There is an HPV vaccine that protects against certain types of HPV, but it is not designed to prevent the types that most often cause common skin warts on the hands and feet. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the HPV vaccine.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening for common warts. However, it is wise to keep an eye on any skin growth. If you notice a growth that changes, grows, or bleeds, show it to a healthcare provider.

Complications

If left untreated

• Most warts go away on their own, but some may persist for years.
• Warts can spread to other parts of your own body and to other people through direct contact.
• Warts on the soles of the feet (plantar warts) can become painful when walking.
• In rare cases, a wart can bleed, become infected, or be mistaken for another type of skin growth.

Long-term outlook

The outlook for a wart that comes and goes is very good. Even without treatment, most warts clear up within months to a couple of years. With treatment, they often go away sooner. If a wart does come back, it is not a sign of a serious health problem – it simply means the virus is still present. Your healthcare provider can help you find the best way to manage it.

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