Warts, although benign, can be a source of discomfort and frustration. Fortunately, there are many wart treatment products available to effectively address them. From cryotherapy to specific cream applications and natural methods, we have explored all options to help you get rid of these unwanted little guests.
What is a wart?
A wart is a small skin growth caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus enters the body through tiny cuts or abrasions on the skin, usually on the hands or feet.
What are the different types of warts?
There are several types of warts: common, flat, and plantar warts.
- Common warts (also called vulgar warts) can be round or elongated in shape. The round common wart is rough, dome-shaped, and may have cracks. It measures a few millimeters in diameter and is usually found on the fingers and the back of the hand. These warts can also appear around or under the nails, where they can be very painful and may cause nail deformation.
- The filiform or elongated common wart mostly appears on the face, around the mouth, and in the beard area in men.
- Flat warts form small bumps or "blisters" that are 1 to 5 mm thick. They are generally the same color as the skin or slightly darker. They can be found on the face, the backs of the hands, or on the limbs.
- Plantar warts are typically located on the ball of the foot or the heels. There may be a single wart, clearly defined with thickened skin, which can be painful when walking. Sometimes there are multiple warts grouped in one area, known as mosaic plantar warts. These are usually superficial and less painful than a single plantar wart.
How is a wart transmitted?
Warts are easily caught and affect about one in four people, with half of them being children aged 5 to 15.
Warts are contagious. They are a common condition caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted either through direct contact with an infected person or via skin flakes. The virus can enter the skin if it is damaged (such as a cut or dry skin).
Plantar warts are contracted by walking on contaminated areas such as swimming pool locker rooms, steam rooms, gyms, or even fitting rooms. Other types of warts spread through direct contact.
Who should you see for a wart?
The approach depends on the wart’s location and how stubborn it is. Generally, starting with a consultation with your general practitioner is a good idea. They can assess the wart, suggest initial treatment, or refer you to a specialist depending on the wart’s complexity or location.
If the wart is on the foot, especially if it causes pain or difficulty walking, a podiatrist is the specialist to consult. Podiatrists specialize in foot care and can choose the best treatment for plantar warts.
For stubborn, multiple warts or those on sensitive areas like the face, it’s better to consult a dermatologist. This skin specialist has advanced techniques to safely treat or remove warts.
When to see a doctor for a wart?
It’s time to consult a healthcare professional if you notice any worrying signs or discomfort.
For example, if the wart changes size or color rapidly, bleeds, or becomes painful, you should see a doctor.
Also, if warts are multiple, recurring, or located on sensitive areas such as the face or genital area, it’s advisable to seek specialist care.
People with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or with autoimmune diseases, should consult promptly to avoid complications.
What is the lifespan of a wart?
The lifespan of a wart varies greatly depending on the individual and can be influenced by various factors, including the person’s immune system. Generally, many warts disappear on their own without treatment, thanks to the body’s immune response that eventually eliminates the virus. This natural resolution can take anywhere from a few months to several years, with an average often observed around two years.
However, some warts may persist longer, especially in adults or people with weakened immune systems. In such cases, or if the wart causes discomfort or embarrassment, treatments may be necessary to speed up their removal.
What is the most effective treatment for warts?
There are many options to get rid of warts. From natural remedies to conventional medicine and cryotherapy, we will review these different techniques to help you choose the most suitable treatment.
Natural treatments against warts
Natural treatments for warts help accelerate the healing process while limiting the side effects that other treatments may cause.
Essential oils
Essential oils offer a natural, effective, and quick way to treat warts. Since warts are caused by a virus, some essential oils are particularly well-suited to boost the immune system and fight viruses. This includes Tea Tree essential oil and Clove essential oil, which have cleansing and purifying properties.
Our laboratory has developed the Verrupro serum, made from organic essential oils of Tea Tree, Clove, Palmarosa, and Castor Oil. It helps restore healthy skin quickly. Thanks to its brush applicator, the application is easy and targeted. The Verrupro serum can be used on children from 4 years old.
Is homeopathy effective against warts?
Homeopathy can be used as a complement to a local treatment for warts or as a long-term treatment for warts that tend to recur. The homeopathic treatment depends on the wart’s location (hands, feet, face, etc.). For example, Thuya occidentalis is found in many homeopathic preparations for treating warts. Don’t hesitate to ask your pharmacist for advice.
Phytotherapy
Phytotherapy is also a natural solution to get rid of warts. Among the medicinal plants most commonly used for wart treatment is Chelidonium majus, or "wartweed." It should be applied locally but must not be taken orally, as it is toxic. Before starting any phytotherapy treatment, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: You can also find our dedicated article on treating plantar warts with home remedies.
Salicylic acid ointments and medications
Warts can also be treated with conventional allopathic treatments such as wart removers (verrucides). Verrucides are substances capable of destroying excess keratin found in warts. Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used verrucides. It helps eliminate the wart by exfoliating the upper layers of the skin and stimulates the immune system.
The Pommade Cochon ointment, named after Dr. Cochon, is a salicylic acid-based ointment. It can be recommended as an adjunct local treatment for warts, corns on the feet, and calluses under the foot.
Note: Some acids are not recommended for children, pregnant women, and at-risk individuals (diabetics, elderly, people with arteritis). Always ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice before self-medicating.
Cryotherapy: removing a wart with cold
Another method to remove a wart is cryotherapy. This can be done at home with cryotherapy treatments available in pharmacies or by a specialist, such as a dermatologist or podiatrist.
Over-the-counter cryotherapy treatments do not contain liquid nitrogen and freeze warts at temperatures between -50 to -80°C. However, there is a risk of burns if the application spreads beyond the wart area. Be cautious when using these products at home, especially since they are not recommended for people with diabetes, vascular disorders, or neuropathy. It is advisable to seek medical advice before self-treating with cryotherapy.
When treated by a specialist, cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen and freezes warts at -190°C. This treatment is more effective on deep warts. However, this technique is painful and its use in children is controversial. It is also not recommended for warts located around the nails.
For more information, see our dedicated article on cryotherapy for wart treatment.
Laser treatment for warts (carbon dioxide laser)
When liquid nitrogen cryotherapy proves ineffective on a wart, it is possible to burn it off using a CO2 laser. This treatment is considered a last resort, typically used on stubborn warts. The laser destroys the infected keratinocytes in the wart area. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and leaves a scar in about 50% of cases.
Laser treatment can be effective from the first session, but this is not always the case. It is recommended to seek multiple medical opinions before proceeding with this intervention.
Note: The laser is more commonly recommended for plantar warts, as the laser beam causes scarring in about half of the cases.
Removing a wart with silver nitrate
Silver nitrate can be effective in treating warts. Due to its keratolytic property, it works by softening the skin and breaking it down in a targeted way. This product comes in the form of a silver nitrate pen that facilitates exfoliation and cauterizes the wart. Ask your pharmacist for advice before applying.
Curettage of warts
Curettage involves removing the wart using a scalpel. It is performed under local anesthesia and is reserved for large warts or warts connected to the body by a small piece of flesh. The surgical procedure can leave a painful scar even after some time.
Other treatments for plantar warts
Plantar warts can be difficult to treat with conventional methods. The virus causing these warts may reside in the deepest layer of the epidermis. For this type of wart, an injection of bleomycin can be administered. Bleomycin is a powerful medication that targets the genetic material of the virus to eliminate the plantar wart and prevent recurrence.
How to tell if a wart is dead?
The big question: how do you know if that stubborn little wart is finally gone for good? When a wart begins to die, it often changes in appearance and texture.
What does a dead wart look like?
A dead wart may turn gray, black, or brown, indicating that blood is no longer feeding the area. If the wart was painful to touch or while walking (in the case of a plantar wart), one of the first signs of its disappearance is a noticeable reduction in pain.
It may start to shrink, flatten, or even come off in small pieces. If it falls off on its own, that’s a very good sign!
If you observe these changes, it’s likely that your wart is disappearing. However, if you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional to confirm the good news and make sure everything is clear. A quick check-up can often bring great peace of mind!
How to prevent the appearance of warts?
It’s advisable to avoid walking barefoot around swimming pools, steam rooms, public showers, locker rooms, and gyms.
Simple pool sandals or flip-flops are enough to protect yourself from warts and other nuisances (like athlete’s foot).
Also, make sure to dry your feet well after swimming in a pool, as moisture encourages the virus to penetrate the skin.
With this knowledge in hand, we wish you a speedy return to smooth, healthy skin, free from those unwelcome guests known as warts.
