Warts are generally harmless but can be quite unattractive. They often disappear on their own over time. Yet, if you’re looking for treatments, we’ve included various options to consider.

Dr. Brittney Schultz, MD, a dermatologist affiliated with M Health Fairview and the University of Minnesota Medical School, mentions that the approach to treatment will vary based on the type and severity of the wart. She explains that treatment should be tailored depending on “the appearance of the wart, its location, and the individual’s immune response.”

Warts are a result of infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV). According to Schultz, there are “over 100 different strains of HPV.” These HPV strains that lead to warts can spread through skin-to-skin contact (including sexual activity) and by touching communal surfaces. It’s also possible to transfer warts from one area of your body to another, she points out.

What primarily causes warts?

HPV is extremely contagious. The specific strain of HPV can determine where the warts appear on the body, Schultz states. For instance, certain strains tend to produce warts on hands and feet, while others may cause warts in the genital area. Moreover, some strains of HPV do not lead to any warts at all. According to information from Cleveland Clinic and Healthline, there are several types of warts including:

• Common warts
• Plantar warts
• Genital warts
• Mosaic warts
• Flat warts
• Butcher’s warts
• Filiform warts
• Focal epithelial hyperplasia (Heck’s disease)
• Periungual warts

Is it possible to remove my own warts?

“If left untreated, a wart may eventually disappear,” says Schultz, but this process can take several years.

According to Schultz, warts can be tricky to treat because the HPV virus effectively “hides beneath the skin surface, evading your immune system.” Therefore, wart removal methods aim to “irritate the skin” and “stimulate your immune system,” she explains.

Over-the-counter wart treatments containing salicylic acid work by gradually breaking down the wart layer by layer. These can come as patches, liquids, or gels, as noted by Cleveland Clinic. Schultz states that these treatments can be efficient for wart removal. However, if you rely solely on these treatments, you might find yourself using them for months or possibly “even years before the wart disappears.”

Ways to eliminate warts

If your wart is painful, spreading, or doesn’t improve with over-the-counter treatments, consider consulting a doctor.

There isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” method for wart treatment, Schultz emphasizes. “While some individuals respond excellently to certain treatments, others may find some warts to be more challenging to address.”

The most common in-office procedure for wart removal is cryotherapy, according to Schultz. During this treatment, the wart is treated with liquid nitrogen, leading to the targeted destruction of the tissue surrounding the wart. For optimal healing, Schultz advises combining cryotherapy with salicylic acid products.

Injections of candida antigen and bleomycin have also been shown to yield positive results in wart treatments, according to studies. Some research indicates that laser treatments can serve as an effective option for wart removal as well.

When it comes to prescription topical creams, Aldara (imiquimod) is often used for the treatment of genital warts, states Schultz.