Warts
Last reviewed
Warts are benign skin growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). They appear as rough, raised lesions on hands, fingers, feet (plantar warts) or other body sites. Many resolve on their own over months to years, but in-clinic treatment is justified if they're spreading, in inconvenient locations, painful or cosmetically bothersome. Options include cryotherapy, electrocautery, salicylic acid and immunotherapy.
Warts are one of the more frustrating dermatology problems — slow to resolve, sometimes painful when on the soles of the feet, and prone to spreading on the same person and to family members. They're caused by HPV, but the wart-causing strains are different from the high-risk strains associated with cervical cancer.
Children get them more than adults. Most childhood common warts go away within 1–2 years even without treatment, but adults with persistent warts, painful plantar warts, or warts on the face and hands typically benefit from active treatment.
Types of warts
- Common warts — rough, raised, cauliflower-textured growths on hands, fingers, knees
- Plantar warts — flat, callus-like lesions on the soles of the feet, sometimes painful when walking
- Flat warts — small, smooth, flat-topped, often in clusters on the face or hands
- Filiform warts — long, finger-like projections often on the face or neck
- Periungual warts — around the fingernails or toenails, can affect nail growth
- Genital warts — soft, fleshy growths in genital areas (different HPV strains; require a different clinical pathway)
- Mosaic warts — clusters of small plantar warts that merge
How warts spread
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) — direct skin contact with the wart or a contaminated surface
- Walking barefoot in communal areas — pools, gyms, hostel bathrooms (plantar warts)
- Skin trauma or breaks — entry point for the virus
- Sharing towels, razors or footwear
- Weakened immune function — patients on immunosuppression get more, larger and more resistant warts
- Not caused by frogs or toads (a recurring myth)
When to see a dermatologist
See a dermatologist if warts are spreading, painful (especially on the soles of the feet), in a cosmetically visible location, not responding to over-the-counter salicylic acid after 8–12 weeks, around the nails (where they can affect nail growth), or if you're an adult with new warts — adult-onset warts can occasionally signal immune issues worth checking.
How warts is treated at SkinWise
Treatment matches the wart type and location. Most warts respond to cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen) repeated every 3–4 weeks until they clear. Electrocautery is useful for filiform and smaller warts. Salicylic acid is good for plantar warts as home therapy alongside in-clinic treatment. Stubborn warts may need intralesional immunotherapy (MMR vaccine or Candida antigen) to activate the immune system. Multiple sessions are usual — patience matters.
Services that treat warts
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Frequently asked questions
How many sessions will it take to clear a wart?
Common warts often clear in 2–4 cryotherapy sessions over 6–12 weeks. Plantar warts and periungual warts can take longer — 6–10 sessions isn't unusual. We assess progress at each visit and adjust technique if a wart isn't responding.
Can warts come back?
Yes — the underlying HPV can persist in surrounding skin. Recurrent warts in the same area are common; new warts elsewhere are common too. Treatment isn't a one-time cure but it reliably clears active lesions. Boosting general health and immune function helps.
Are warts contagious?
Yes, both to other parts of your own body and to other people. Avoid sharing towels, footwear and razors; cover plantar warts at the pool. Picking or scratching warts spreads them — discourage children from doing this.
What about HPV vaccines?
HPV vaccines (Gardasil 9, Cervarix) protect against high-risk genital HPV strains and some wart-causing strains. They're routinely recommended for adolescents and young adults — they don't treat existing warts but prevent some future ones.
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