Wart Removal: Practical Ways That Work

Warts are common, annoying, and often contagious. Most are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and show up on hands, feet (plantar warts), and sometimes the face. You don’t always need a doctor, but knowing safe, effective options helps you pick the right approach and avoid scars or infection.

Common home treatments

Salicylic acid is the go-to over-the-counter option. Use a product with 17% acid or follow the label. Soak the wart in warm water for 5–10 minutes, gently file the top with an emery board or pumice, then apply the acid and cover with a bandage. Repeat daily. It can take 4–12 weeks, so stick with it.

Freezing works too. Medical cryotherapy in a clinic uses liquid nitrogen and is faster than at-home freezing sprays. OTC freeze kits can help small warts but are less powerful for thick plantar warts. Expect a few treatments spaced weeks apart.

Duct tape is cheap and messy but worth mentioning. Cover the wart with duct tape for six days, remove, soak, gently rub the wart, then leave the tape off overnight and repeat. Some people see improvement in weeks. The evidence is mixed, but it’s low risk for most skin areas.

Avoid cutting warts yourself. Don’t apply salicylic acid to thin or sensitive skin like the face or genitals. If a wart bleeds heavily, hurts a lot, or looks infected, stop home treatment and see a provider.

When to see a doctor

If a wart is painful, spreading quickly, or on the face or genitals, get medical advice. For plantar warts that make walking painful, a doctor can remove thick callused tissue and offer stronger treatments: clinic cryotherapy, prescription-strength peeling agents, laser therapy, or minor surgical removal. People with diabetes, poor circulation, or weakened immune systems should not self-treat plantar warts—see a clinician first.

Genital warts are caused by certain HPV strains and need a clinician’s evaluation. Don’t use OTC wart products there. A provider can offer treatments that are safe for that area and discuss HPV vaccination and testing if needed.

Some warts go away on their own, especially in children. If a wart hasn’t improved after several months of safe home treatment, or if you’re unsure what the spot is, a clinic visit helps. A provider can confirm the diagnosis and choose the least scarring, most effective option.

Prevention is simple: avoid direct contact with warts, don’t share towels or shoes, keep feet dry, and cover warts in communal spaces like pools and locker rooms. The HPV vaccine reduces risk for certain wart-causing strains—ask your doctor if it’s right for you or your child.

Bottom line: try consistent salicylic acid or a clinic freezing method for common warts, avoid risky self-surgery, and see a provider for painful, facial, genital, or stubborn warts. A little patience and the right method usually clear them up without drama.