How do home remedies like salicylic acid and cryotherapy work for removing warts. What are the best over-the-counter products for treating different types of warts at home. When should you see a doctor about wart removal.

Understanding Warts: Causes, Types, and Transmission

Warts are common skin lesions caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can appear anywhere on the body but are most frequently found on the hands and feet. While generally harmless, warts can be unsightly and sometimes uncomfortable, leading many people to seek treatment options.

Common Types of Warts

• Common warts: Often found on hands and fingers
• Plantar warts: Typically grow on the soles of the feet
• Flat warts: Can appear anywhere, often in large numbers
• Filiform warts: Resemble thin threads, usually on the face or neck

HPV is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces. The virus enters the body through small cuts or abrasions in the skin, making those with weakened immune systems or frequent skin injuries more susceptible to infection.

Salicylic Acid: A Popular Over-the-Counter Treatment

Salicylic acid is one of the most widely used and effective home remedies for wart removal. This peeling agent works by gradually destroying the infected skin cells and stimulating the body’s immune response to fight the virus.

How to Use Salicylic Acid for Wart Removal

1. Clean the affected area thoroughly
2. Apply the salicylic acid product directly to the wart
3. Cover with a bandage or tape to protect the area
4. Repeat daily for 2-3 months or as directed

For optimal results, soak the wart in warm water for 5-10 minutes before application to soften the skin. Gently file away any dead skin with an emery board or pumice stone before applying the treatment.

Best Salicylic Acid Product: Compound W Maximum Strength Gel

Compound W Maximum Strength Gel is a popular over-the-counter option for treating warts with salicylic acid. Priced at around $8, this affordable gel comes with an applicator for precise treatment. While it may take up to 12 weeks to see results, many users find it effective for treating small numbers of warts.

Cryotherapy: Freezing Warts at Home

Cryotherapy, or freezing, is another effective method for removing warts. While traditionally performed in a doctor’s office, there are now over-the-counter cryotherapy products available for home use.

How Does Cryotherapy Work?

Cryotherapy works by freezing the wart tissue, causing it to die and eventually fall off. The extreme cold also stimulates the body’s immune response, helping to fight the underlying viral infection.

Best Home Cryotherapy Product: Equate Quick Freeze Wart Remover

For those looking to try cryotherapy at home, the Equate Quick Freeze Wart Remover is a popular choice. This product uses a precision applicator to deliver a freezing agent directly to the wart, mimicking in-office treatments on a smaller scale.

Apple Cider Vinegar: A Natural Alternative

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has gained popularity as a natural remedy for various skin conditions, including warts. While scientific evidence is limited, some people report success in using ACV for wart removal.

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Warts

1. Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar
2. Apply directly to the wart
3. Secure with a bandage and leave overnight
4. Rinse the area in the morning and repeat daily

It’s important to note that ACV can cause skin irritation in some people. Always dilute the vinegar with water before application and discontinue use if irritation occurs.

Best Apple Cider Vinegar Product: Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar is a well-known brand that many people use for various health and beauty purposes, including wart treatment. It’s organic, unfiltered, and contains “the mother,” which some believe enhances its health benefits.

Aspirin: An Unexpected Wart Treatment

Aspirin contains salicylic acid, the same active ingredient found in many over-the-counter wart treatments. While not its primary use, some people find success in using crushed aspirin as a home remedy for warts.

How to Use Aspirin for Wart Removal

1. Crush 1-2 aspirin tablets into a fine powder
2. Mix with a few drops of water to form a paste
3. Apply the paste directly to the wart
4. Cover with a bandage and leave overnight
5. Rinse in the morning and repeat daily

This method may be particularly useful for those who already have aspirin at home and want to try a cost-effective treatment option.

Best Aspirin Product: CVS Health Low Dose Aspirin

For those interested in trying the aspirin method, CVS Health Low Dose Aspirin is an affordable and readily available option. These 81mg tablets can be easily crushed and mixed with water to create a wart-fighting paste.

When to Seek Professional Treatment

While home remedies can be effective for many warts, there are situations where professional medical treatment may be necessary. Consider consulting a dermatologist or healthcare provider if:

• The wart is painful or interferes with daily activities
• Home treatments have been ineffective after several weeks
• The wart is on the face, genitals, or another sensitive area
• You have diabetes or a weakened immune system
• The wart changes in appearance, size, or color

Medical professionals can offer more aggressive treatments, such as stronger cryotherapy, laser therapy, or surgical removal for stubborn or problematic warts.

Prevention: Reducing the Risk of Wart Infection

While it’s not always possible to prevent wart infections entirely, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Wash hands regularly, especially after touching warts
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered
• Avoid biting nails or picking at hangnails
• Wear shower shoes in public locker rooms and pool areas
• Don’t share personal items like towels or razors
• Boost your immune system through a healthy diet and lifestyle

By following these preventive measures, you can minimize your chances of contracting HPV and developing warts.

The Role of Immune System in Wart Resolution

While various treatments can help remove warts, it’s important to understand that the body’s immune system plays a crucial role in ultimately clearing the HPV infection. In many cases, especially in children and adolescents, warts will resolve on their own within 1-2 years without any treatment.

Boosting Immune Function for Wart Resolution

To support your body’s natural ability to fight off HPV and resolve warts, consider the following strategies:

• Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Get regular exercise to improve overall health and immune function
• Ensure adequate sleep and stress management
• Consider supplements like vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea (consult with a healthcare provider first)

By focusing on overall health and immune function, you may be able to speed up the natural resolution of warts and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Understanding the Limitations of Home Remedies

While home remedies can be effective for many people, it’s important to approach them with realistic expectations. Some key points to keep in mind include:

• Results may vary: What works for one person may not work for another
• Patience is key: Most treatments require consistent application over several weeks or months
• Combination approaches may be more effective: Using multiple methods simultaneously or alternating between treatments can sometimes yield better results
• Recurrence is possible: Even after successful treatment, warts can sometimes return due to persistent HPV infection

If you’re not seeing results after several weeks of consistent home treatment, it may be time to consult a healthcare professional for alternative options.

Addressing Common Misconceptions About Warts

There are several myths and misconceptions surrounding warts that can lead to confusion and improper treatment. Let’s address some of these common misunderstandings:

Myth: Warts have roots that need to be removed

Reality: Warts do not have roots like plants. What people often mistake for roots are actually blood vessels that supply the wart with nutrients. Effective treatment involves destroying the entire wart, including these blood vessels.

Myth: Warts are caused by frogs or toads

Reality: This is an old wives’ tale. Warts are caused exclusively by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and cannot be contracted from animals.

Myth: All warts are cancerous or precancerous

Reality: Most warts are benign and do not develop into cancer. However, certain types of HPV can increase the risk of certain cancers, particularly cervical cancer. This is why regular screenings are important for women.

Myth: Warts can be cured by covering them with duct tape

Reality: While some people claim success with the “duct tape method,” scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited. It may work for some individuals, but it’s not considered a first-line treatment by medical professionals.

Understanding these facts can help you make more informed decisions about wart treatment and prevention.

The Importance of Persistence in Wart Treatment

One of the most crucial factors in successful wart treatment is persistence. Many people give up on treatments too soon, not realizing that it often takes weeks or even months to see significant results. Here are some tips for maintaining a consistent treatment regimen:

• Set reminders: Use your phone or a calendar to remind you to apply treatments daily
• Track progress: Take photos of the wart at regular intervals to monitor changes
• Be patient: Remember that slow progress is still progress
• Don’t skip treatments: Consistency is key, even if you don’t see immediate results
• Combine methods: Alternating between different treatments can sometimes be more effective than sticking to just one

By staying committed to your chosen treatment plan, you increase your chances of successfully eliminating warts and preventing their recurrence.

When to Consider Professional Wart Removal Techniques

While home remedies can be effective for many warts, there are situations where professional medical treatments may be necessary or preferred. Some advanced wart removal techniques available through dermatologists or healthcare providers include:

Electrocautery

This method uses an electric current to burn off the wart tissue. It’s often used for larger or more stubborn warts that haven’t responded to other treatments.

Laser Therapy

Laser treatments can precisely target and destroy wart tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy skin. This method is often used for warts in sensitive areas or those that have resisted other treatments.

Immunotherapy

This approach involves stimulating the body’s immune system to fight the HPV infection causing the wart. It can be particularly effective for people with multiple or recurring warts.

Bleomycin Injections

In some cases, doctors may inject a chemotherapy drug called bleomycin directly into the wart. This method is typically reserved for very stubborn warts that haven’t responded to other treatments.

These professional treatments often provide faster results and may be more effective for certain types of warts. However, they can be more expensive and may have a higher risk of side effects compared to home remedies.

The Connection Between Warts and Other Health Conditions

While warts are generally harmless, their presence can sometimes be indicative of other health issues, particularly those affecting the immune system. Understanding these connections can help you make more informed decisions about your overall health:

Immune System Disorders

People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or those undergoing chemotherapy, may be more susceptible to warts and find them harder to treat.

Diabetes

Individuals with diabetes may be more prone to developing plantar warts and may experience slower healing of warts and other skin conditions.

Stress and Lifestyle Factors

Chronic stress, poor nutrition, and lack of sleep can all weaken the immune system, potentially making you more susceptible to wart infections and slowing their resolution.

HPV-Related Cancers

While most warts are benign, certain types of HPV can increase the risk of cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. Regular health screenings are important, especially for individuals with persistent or recurring warts.

If you have concerns about recurring warts or their potential relationship to other health conditions, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.

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Home remedies — such as salicylic acid, cryotherapy, and apple cider vinegar — may help remove warts, skin lesions that stem from the human papillomavirus (HPV).

In children and adolescents, most warts will clear up on their own within 1–2 years.

This article looks at home remedies for warts and how to use them. It also discusses things that people should not do for warts, some options for medical treatment, and when to speak with a doctor.

• Best salicylic acid treatment: Compound W Maximum Strength Gel
• Best aspirin: CVS Health Low Dose Aspirin
• Best home cryotherapy: Equate Quick Freeze Wart Remover
• Best apple cider vinegar: Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar

Warts are skin bumps and lesions that develop due to HPV. They are common in children and teenagers, but anyone can get them.

There are several types of warts, including:

• common warts, which often occur on the hands
• plantar warts, which often grow on the soles of the feet
• flat warts, which can appear anywhere and often occur in large numbers
• filiform warts, which resemble thin threads

Warts are contagious. Anyone with warts should try to avoid touching them unnecessarily. If they need to touch the warts to apply a treatment, they should wash their hands immediately after doing so.

Warts develop due to an HPV infection, and different strains of the HPV virus cause different types of warts.

Warts on hands and feet are typically caused by the HPV subtypes 1, 2, 4, 27, or 57. Genital warts can be caused by the HPV subtypes 6 or 11. Subtypes 16 and 18 can cause warts on male and female genitals.

People can contract this virus after coming into contact with a person with a wart or by touching a surface this person has also touched.

It is also possible for warts to spread from one area of the body to another.

A person is more likely to contract HPV if they have cuts or scrapes on their skin, if they bite their nails, or if they have a weakened immune system.

Wart remedies will work in different ways, but typically they will destroy the wart to prevent it from spreading or getting bigger. Common treatments will freeze, burn, or cut off a wart.

Treatments for warts that are hard to get rid of can include laser treatments, chemical peels, injections, and therapy to create an immune response in the warts.

A person can see a dermatologist to get warts removed or they can try home remedies.

Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:

• Price: MNT chooses products available for a wide range of budgets.
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Below are some home remedies that people may find helpful for warts.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

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Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a peeling agent that people use for general skin care, acne treatment, and other dermatological conditions. However, it can also help with treating warts.

People can use salicylic acid patches or gels to speed up wart healing and destroy any cells affected by HPV. For salicylic acid to be effective, a person needs to continue using it for 2–3 months.

Best salicylic acid treatment: Compound W Maximum Strength Gel

• Price: around $8
• Pro: affordable
• Con: can take up to 12 weeks to work

This product is a salicylic acid gel. It comes in a tube with an applicator so a person can apply the gel accurately to the wart.

The product packaging states it is a maximum strength formula and a person can use it for up to 12 weeks.

The company recommends that a person use it once or twice a day until the wart is gone.

However, it is not suitable for people under the age of 3.

This treatment may be best suited to people with a low number of warts who want an easy-to-apply daily treatment.

A person can consider the following advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

• affordable
• easy to apply
• typically effective

Cons

• may take 12 weeks to work
• unsuitable for children younger than 3

The product is available for around $8 for a 0.25 ounce (oz) tube.

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Best aspirin: CVS Health Low Dose Aspirin

• Price: around $3
• Pro: widely available
• Con: off-label treatment

Salicylic acid is also in aspirin. A person can crush and mix aspirin tablets with a few drops of water. This will make a paste that a person can apply directly to the wart.

However, aspirin is usually used as a pain reliever. Using it as a wart treatment would classify it as an off-label treatment. This means it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use to treat warts.

This treatment may be best suited to people who wish to try a very cheap, widely available product. However, they should speak with a doctor before trying aspirin for warts.

The advantages and disadvantages a person may wish to consider include:

Pros

• very affordable
• widely available
• a person can mix their own strength paste

Cons

• off-label treatment
• limited evidence of effectiveness

CVS Pharmacy sells a pack of 32 aspirin tablets for around $3.

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Freezing

Cryotherapy is a standard medical treatment for warts. However, people can also purchase over-the-counter (OTC) kits and products to freeze off warts at home.

Many pharmacies stock sprays that can freeze warts. A pharmacist can help someone choose the best option and tell them how to use it.

Some people should not use these products. This includes people with warts on their hands or feet who also have health conditions that affect those areas, such as diabetes.

In these cases, freezing the skin could cause harm or potentially lead to nerve damage. If a person has an underlying condition, they should speak with a doctor before attempting to treat warts at home.

Best home cryotherapy: Equate Quick Freeze Wart Remover

• Price: around $10
• Pro: can work within 10–14 days
• Con: only recommended for warts on the feet

This product is for freezing common and plantar warts on the feet. A person applies the tip of the applicator to the wart and holds it in place for several seconds.

The manufacturers claim that the wart should then fall off within 10–14 days after one application. However, if a person has more than one wart or the wart does not fall off after the first try, they can reapply. Each pack comes with seven applicators.

A person can use their flexible spending account (FSA) or their health savings account (HSA) for this purchase.

Freezing treatment may be best suited to people who want a faster treatment for warts.

The potential advantages and disadvantages of this treatment may include:

Pros

• pack contains seven treatments
• affordable
• HSA and FSA eligible

Cons

• freezing can be painful
• can cause skin reactions
• only recommended for common and plantar warts on the feet

This product is available for around $10 for seven treatments.

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Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a popular home remedy for a number of conditions, including warts.

Some people claim that the acid in the vinegar works in a similar way to salicylic acid. However, there is no firm evidence to suggest that ACV works for this purpose.

To try the ACV method:

1. Mix two parts ACV with one part water.
2. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it to the wart to soak for 20 minutes before rinsing off.
3. Repeat these steps on a daily basis. Stop using ACV if it causes burning or irritation.

Best apple cider vinegar: Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar

• Price: around $15
• Pro: natural product
• Con: may be difficult to apply accurately

This brand of apple cider vinegar is available in a range of sizes.

The company claims it is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic certified formula, non-GMO, and gluten-free. It is also raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurized.

This product may be best suited to people who want to use a natural product to treat warts.

A person can consider the following advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

• affordable prices
• available in various sizes
• USDA organic
• natural product

Cons

• limited scientific research to suggest this remedy works
• may be difficult to apply accurately
• chemical burns are possible if not used correctly

A person can order a pack of two 16 fluid-ounce bottles for around $15.

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There are other remedies a person can try at home, but there is limited evidence for their effectiveness.

Duct tape

Duct tape is a popular home remedy for warts. However, according to a 2019 article, there is limited evidence to suggest that it helps.

Still, if a person wants to try it, there are no known side effects associated with it.

To try using the duct tape method:

1. Apply a piece of duct tape to the wart.
2. After 4–7 days, remove the tape and clean the wart.
3. Remove any dead skin by gently exfoliating the area, and reapply another piece of duct tape 12 hours later.
4. Repeat these steps for 4–6 weeks.

The table below compares each of the home remedies in this article.

The dosage varies depending on the remedy.

A person may need to use salicylic acid 1–2 times daily for 2–3 months.

According to some manufacturers, one cryotherapy application can kill a wart within 10–14 days. However, plantar warts can be difficult to treat because they grow inward. Treatments like freezing require the wart to be exposed.

Several treatments may be needed to remove warts with cryotherapy.

There are no standard dosages for alternative treatments such as ACV, aspirin, or duct tape. A person should speak with a doctor before trying these treatments and work with them if these treatments do not work or if they cause side effects.

When treating warts, it is important to avoid the following:

Physical removal

People should never try to remove warts by cutting them off. This approach carries a significant risk of worsened infections and scarring.

Additionally, doing this does not prevent warts from coming back.

Shaving and scratching

Shaving areas of skin where warts are present causes tiny tears that allow HPV to infiltrate. This can cause more warts to develop. For example, if a person shaves an area with warts and then shaves the area around their genitals, they may develop warts there as well.

The same is true for other habits that cause small injuries to the skin, including:

• nail or cuticle biting
• skin picking
• picking hangnails

Any of these habits can cause HPV to spread to other areas of the body. As a result, it is best to avoid unnecessarily touching warts. People can cover them with patches to help prevent HPV transmission.

Unproven home remedies

People should also be wary of home remedies that they find online for warts. Many home remedies are unproven, and not all of them will be safe.

Some examples of unproven home remedies for warts include using:

• aloe vera
• banana peels
• orange peels
• pineapple
• potatoes

There is a possibility that some of these substances could help, but there is no scientific evidence to suggest that they work for this purpose.

In general, it is best to stick with proven remedies and treatments, as these will have the highest chance of success.

Learn more about how to know if a wart treatment has been successful.

There are a number of effective treatments for warts that a doctor can prescribe, including:

• Cantharidin: This substance causes a blister to develop underneath the wart, killing the cells. After a week, a doctor can remove the wart.
• Cryotherapy: This approach involves using a special solution to freeze the wart and kill the affected cells. It is the most common treatment for common warts, though it can cause dark spots in people with dark skin tones.
• Electrosurgery and curettage: Curettage involves cutting or scraping the wart away, while electrosurgery involves burning it off. Doctors may use a combination of these methods for some types of warts.
• Excision: This involves a doctor cutting off the wart.
• Chemical peels: If someone has flat warts, which often occur in clusters, doctors may use chemical peels to treat a larger area of the skin. The peeling solution will contain exfoliants, including salicylic acid, at a stronger concentration than a person can buy over the counter.
• Laser treatment: Lasers can burn off the wart tissue. However, dermatologists usually reserve this approach for warts that do not respond to other treatments.
• Immunotherapy: People with severe warts or a compromised immune system may benefit from immunotherapy, which boosts the body’s immune response to HPV.

The treatments a person benefits from can depend on the severity and location of their warts, their age, and their individual response.

Learn more about the strongest wart removal options.

A person should seek medical advice if they have:

• a wart on the face or genitals
• a large number of warts
• warts that hurt, burn, itch, or bleed
• a wart that changes color
• warts and a compromised immune system

A person should also speak with a doctor if they have not received an official diagnosis for their warts. Many other skin conditions can resemble warts, so a person should make sure that they are choosing the right treatment for their condition.

In children, warts will usually go away on their own within 1–2 years. During that time, warts are usually a cosmetic concern rather than a health risk. A person can speak with a doctor if they want to discuss ways of speeding up healing for this reason.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), a person can attempt to prevent warts by:

• not touching other people’s warts
• using their own towels and other personal items
• covering grazes and cuts to prevent an infection from entering through the wound
• frequently washing hands
• trying to avoid cracked or dry skin
• avoiding nail biting
• wearing flip-flops in pool areas and other communal areas where people may have bare feet
• getting the HPV vaccine
• treating hyperhidrosis, as this can increase a person’s risk of acquiring HPV

Below are answers to the top frequently asked questions about remedies for warts.

What can I put on warts at home?

Some home remedies people can apply to a wart include duct tape, homemade aspirin paste, and ACV. However, there is little evidence that these treatments work.

A person can also purchase OTC treatments that freeze the wart or gradually degrade it with salicylic acid.

How do you get rid of warts ASAP?

OTC cryotherapy products can work within 10–14 days, according to some manufacturers.

However, a person should speak with a dermatologist to discuss the best way to get rid of warts quickly, as the best treatment may depend on the type of wart and its location.

How do you get rid of a wart in 24 hours?

It is generally not possible to get rid of a wart in 24 hours. Many treatments take at least 2 weeks to work, and a person may find that their wart takes longer than this to heal.

A person should not cut or shave off a wart, as this can make it worse and cause injury.

A person should speak with a doctor to discuss how best to treat their warts quickly.

Learn more about apple cider vinegar to treat warts.

Warts are not usually harmful, but a person may wish to speed up their healing due to pain or cosmetic concerns.

Home remedies for warts — such as salicylic acid, duct tape, or ACV — may help. People can also purchase OTC wart remedies or speak with a doctor for advice and treatment.

Warts and Plantar Warts | Kaiser Permanente

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Condition Basics

What are warts?

Warts are skin growths caused by a virus. Warts can grow anywhere on the body. There are different kinds. For example, common warts grow most often on the hands, but they can grow anywhere. Plantar warts grow on the soles of the feet. Most warts go away on their own within months or years.

How do they spread?

Warts are spread by direct contact with a human papillomavirus (HPV). You can infect yourself again by touching the wart and then touching another part of your body. You can infect another person by sharing towels, razors, or other items. After contact with HPV, it can take months before you notice a wart.

What are the symptoms?

A wart may be a bump with a rough surface, or it may be flat and smooth. Plantar warts can look like a callus. Warts are usually painless. But a wart that grows in a spot where you put pressure, such as on a finger or the bottom of the foot, can be painful.

How are they diagnosed?

A doctor usually can tell if a skin growth is a wart by looking at it. Your doctor may take a sample of the wart if it isn’t clear that the growth is a wart or if the growth is darker than the skin around it, is irregular, bleeds, or is large and fast-growing.

How are warts treated?

Most warts don’t need treatment. They generally go away on their own. But if you have warts that are painful or are spreading, you can treat them with salicylic acid or duct tape. Or your doctor can treat them with medicine or by freezing or removing them.

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Cause

A wart is caused by some types of the virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infects the top layer of skin. It usually enters the body in an area of broken skin. The virus causes the top layer of skin to grow very fast, forming a wart.

Prevention

The main way to prevent warts is to avoid contact with the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes warts. If you are exposed to this virus, you may or may not get warts, depending on how susceptible you are to the virus. Here are some tips to help avoid HPV.

• Avoid touching warts on yourself or others.
• Don’t share razors, towels, socks, or shoes with another person.

  Someone with no visible warts can still be carrying the virus.

• Avoid walking barefoot on warm, moist surfaces where the wart virus may be alive.

  Wear shower shoes when using public showers, locker rooms, or pool areas.

• Keep your feet dry.

  If your feet sweat heavily, wear socks that absorb moisture or wick it away from the skin.

• Avoid irritating the soles of your feet.

  Warts grow more easily if your skin has been injured or broken in some way.

You can help prevent warts from spreading. Keep your warts covered with a bandage or athletic tape. Don’t bite your nails or cuticles, as this may spread warts from one finger to another.

Symptoms

Plantar warts

Plantar warts occur on the soles of the feet. They look like hard, thick patches of skin with dark specks. Multiple plantar warts can form in a large, flat cluster known as a “mosaic wart.”

Common warts

Common warts appear most often on the hands. But they may appear anywhere on the body. They are rough, gray-brown, dome-shaped growths. They may have a cauliflower-like appearance.

Flat warts

Flat warts are usually found on the face, arms, or legs. They are small (usually smaller than the eraser on the end of a pencil), and there are usually several in one area. They have flat tops and can be pink, light brown, or light yellow. Flat warts are often spread by shaving.

When to Call a Doctor

See your doctor if:

• You aren’t sure if a skin growth is a wart.
• Nonprescription home treatment isn’t successful after 2 to 3 months.
• Warts are growing or spreading rapidly despite treatment.
• Signs of infection develop. These may include:
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
  • Red streaks leading from the area.
  • Pus draining from the area.
  • A fever.
• A plantar wart becomes too painful to walk on.
• You have diabetes or peripheral arterial disease and you need treatment for a wart on a leg or foot.
• You have warts on your genitals or around the anus.

Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. It’s often okay to try this approach with warts, because they generally go away on their own within months or years. But you may want to consider treating a wart to prevent it from spreading to other parts of your body or to other people. You can try a nonprescription wart treatment for 2 to 3 months before deciding to see a doctor.

Treatment Overview

Most warts don’t need treatment. They generally go away on their own within months or years. But if you have warts that are painful or are spreading, or if you’re bothered by the way they look, your treatment choices include:

• Using a home treatment such as salicylic acid or duct tape. You can get these without a prescription.
• Putting a stronger medicine on the wart, or getting a shot of medicine in it.
• Freezing the wart (cryotherapy). There is an over-the-counter medicine you can use at home. Or you can have your doctor freeze it for you.
• Removing the wart with surgery (electrosurgery, curettage, laser surgery).

Surgery is more likely to leave scars. That’s why it’s mostly used to treat warts that are hard to remove or that keep coming back.

Wart treatment doesn’t always work. Even after a wart shrinks or goes away, warts may come back or spread to other parts of the body. This is because most treatments destroy the wart but don’t kill the virus that causes the wart.

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Self-Care

• Use salicylic acid or duct tape as your doctor directs. You put the medicine or the tape on a wart for several days and then file down the dead skin on the wart. You use the salicylic acid treatment for 2 to 3 months or the tape for 1 to 2 months.
• If your doctor prescribes medicine to put on warts, use it exactly as directed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.

To avoid spreading warts

• Keep warts covered with a bandage or athletic tape.
• Don’t bite your nails or cuticles. This may spread warts from one finger to another.

Reducing pain caused by plantar warts

Plantar warts can be on any part of the foot. But they cause the most discomfort when they are on a pressure point such as the heel. You can help reduce plantar wart pain by doing these things.

• Wear comfortable shoes and socks.

  Avoid high heels and shoes that increase pressure on your foot.

• Pad the wart with doughnut-shaped felt or a moleskin patch.

  Place the pad around the plantar wart so that it relieves pressure on the wart. Also, consider placing pads or cushions in your shoes to make walking more comfortable. You can buy moleskin patches at a drugstore.

• Try nonprescription medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (such as Advil), or acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) to help relieve pain.

  Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20, because of the risk of Reye syndrome, a serious but rare illness. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

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Removal of plantar warts in St. Petersburg – cost in the network of clinics 9.09

Plantar warts – skin formation of a benign nature in the form of small growths.

Warts of this type are localized on the toes and hands, the inside and outside of the foot, causing discomfort when walking and requiring removal. They can stabilize and not change, or they can quickly grow and multiply, affecting healthy tissues.

To avoid complications and relapses, it is necessary to remove the plantar wart by choosing the most gentle method of wart destruction.

Cost of neoplasm removal in cosmetology clinics 9.09

Service

Cost

Duration

Papilloma, keratoma, wart, condyloma (up to 0. 5 cm) up to 10 pcs. (unit price)

700

30

Papilloma, keratoma, wart, condyloma (up to 0.5 cm) from 11 to 20 pcs. (unit price)

600

30

Papilloma, keratoma, wart, condyloma (up to 0.5 cm) from 21 to 30 pcs. (unit price)

400

60

Papilloma, keratoma, wart, condyloma (up to 0.5 cm) more than 30 pcs. (unit price)

350

30

Papilloma, keratoma, wart, condyloma (from 0.5 cm to 1 cm) up to 10 pcs. (unit price)

900

30

Papilloma, keratoma, wart, condyloma (from 0.5 cm to 1 cm) from 11 to 20 pcs. (unit price)

800

30

Papilloma, keratoma, wart, condyloma (from 0.5 cm to 1 cm) from 21 to 30 pcs. (unit price)

600

60

Papilloma, keratoma, wart, condyloma (from 0.5 cm to 1 cm) more than 30 pcs. (unit price)

550

30

Papilloma, keratoma, wart, condyloma (from 1 cm) up to 10 pcs. (unit price)

1900

30

Papilloma, keratoma, wart, condyloma (from 1 cm) from 11 to 20 pcs. (unit price)

1700

30

Papilloma, keratoma, wart, condyloma (from 1 cm) from 21 to 30 pcs. (unit price)

1500

60

Papilloma, keratoma, wart, condyloma (from 1 cm) more than 30 pcs. (unit price)

1300

60

Nevus (up to 0.5 cm) 1 pc.

2500

30

Nevus (from 0.5 to 1.0 cm) 1 pc.

3000

30

Nevus (more than 1 cm) 1 pc.

3500

60

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Causes of plantar warts

The disease is caused by a harmless strain of HPV (human papillomavirus). The virus can live imperceptibly in the body for years and manifest itself in the form of warts with a decrease in immunity or penetrate microcracks in the skin and provoke the appearance of neoplasms.

In addition to reduced immunity, the development of plantar warts can be caused by:

• sweating of the feet,
• uncomfortable and tight shoes,
• diseases that cause disturbances in the trophism of the feet.

All of the above are only secondary causes, while the primary cause is always HPV.

Symptoms of plantar warts

• Shiny surface. The skin of the neoplasm becomes rough and becomes horny over time.
• Small size. A plantar wart measures 1 to 2 centimeters and rises above the surface of the skin by about 2-3 millimeters.
• Black dots on the surface. The appearance of black dots on the surface of the wart is caused by thrombosis of the capillaries at the site of the neoplasm. This feature distinguishes it from the corn, with which it is often confused.
• Characteristic shade. The growth has a yellow or light brown tint.
• Discomfort while walking. The neoplasm itself is painless, but since it often compresses the nerve endings, it hurts to step on it.

Indications for removal of plantar warts

Removal is necessary if the wart:

• hurts;
• is constantly injured;
• bleeds;
• is growing or large;
• has an uneven coloration.

Contraindications to the removal of a wart on the foot

Contraindications to the removal of warts on the foot include:

• inflammatory processes on the skin;
• diseases of infectious etiology;
• cardiovascular pathologies and diseases of the respiratory system;
• diabetes and hepatitis;
• oncopathology;
• menses;
• pregnancy;
• breastfeeding.

Varieties of plantar warts

Plantar warts can be single or multiple.

Solitary plantar warts look like a small, rounded growth of a yellowish tint with dark patches. Usually, this is one wart that once appeared and does not change over time.

Multiple (mosaic) plantar warts appear due to the strong activity of the virus in the body and represent an extensive lesion of the inner surface of the foot or toes and hands. Usually, these are several warts that grow and cause physical and psychological discomfort.

The best way to remove plantar warts

Removal of a plantar wart is more difficult than conventional growths because the wart grows deep into the skin.

Electrocoagulation is used only if the build-up is not deep, but even in this case, scars often remain after the procedure.

Liquid nitrogen destruction also has its pitfalls. If frozen too deep, a scar may appear, and if superficial, the wart often reappears.

The laser allows you to adjust the depth of the laser beam, so the neoplasm is completely removed. The procedure is fast and painless.

Radio wave removal is a popular method for the destruction of warts. A radioknife and a nozzle, matched to the size of the wart, cuts out the formation completely. During the procedure, blood vessels are cauterized, so there is no bleeding and the HPV virus does not get into the bloodstream (less risk of relapse).

Surgical removal is used to destroy large warts and is performed with a scalpel under local anesthesia. After this type of excision, in most cases, a scar remains.

Preparing for the removal of a plantar wart

No preparatory procedures are required before removing a wart on the foot. Destruction is performed on the day of treatment after examination by a dermatologist.

Stages of radio wave plantar wart removal in network clinics 9.09

As part of the procedure, the dermatologist performs the following manipulations:

1. examines the patient to compile a general clinical picture;
2. makes sure there are no contraindications;
3. treats the operating area with an antiseptic;
4. applies an anesthetic gel or cream to relieve discomfort during destruction;
5. sets up a radio wave knife;
6. removes plantar wart;
7. applies a protective dressing;
8. gives advice on the treatment of a postoperative wound.

The whole process takes 15-20 minutes.

Skin care after plantar wart removal

• Do not wet the wound for two days.
• Treat the wound with an antiseptic for the first 2-3 days.
• For 7-10 days, while the surgical area is covered with a crust, apply regenerating ointments to accelerate healing.
• Do not peel.
• Until complete healing, do not visit the bath, sauna and swimming pool.
• When the scab has peeled off, do not expose fresh skin to sunlight for the first 1.5-2 months.

Come for plantar wart removal at clinics of the network 9.09 in Primorsky, Vyborgsky and Petrogradsky districts. Reception and removal are carried out by highly qualified dermatologists, using modern equipment for this, which guarantees effective treatment of skin neoplasms without subsequent relapses.

FAQ

• How long does it take for a foot to heal after a wart is removed?

The postoperative wound heals completely and stops bothering the patient after 7-10 days.

• Which is the preferred removal method?

The most common and effective treatment for plantar warts is radio wave surgery. Radioknife allows you to remove a skin neoplasm in just a few minutes without pain, blood and further relapses. In addition, this method has a minimum rehabilitation period and guarantees the absence of scars on the postoperative area after it has healed.

Physicians who perform procedures

Anna Alekseevna Belyaeva

Cosmetologist, leading specialist

experience: 14 YEARS

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Laser, nitrogen or radio wave wart removal

Reasons for the appearance
Removal Methods
Kinds
Destruction methods
Nitrogen
radio waves
Laser
Electrocoagulation
Specialists
Prices

Effective Wart Removal

Warts can and should be removed for a number of reasons.

• Infectiousness . Warts (more precisely, the papillomavirus that causes them) are contagious. A person with warts on the skin is a potential source of danger to others. It can infect both loved ones and completely strangers (especially when visiting swimming pools, saunas, fitness centers, public toilets and other places where a warm, humid environment reigns).
• Susceptibility to injury and infection . Warts on the face are often injured during shaving, cosmetic procedures, and simply from careless actions. Any physical activity can lead to traumatization of neoplasms, even if they are located under clothing. And this is an open gate for infection, which can result in both a relatively harmless suppuration, and something more serious.
• Distribution trend . Warts multiply over time. Next to the primary neoplasm, new warts may appear over time, and in large numbers. The more neoplasms, the more expensive and more difficult the treatment.

In the CELSIUM Clinic medical center, warts are removed with liquid nitrogen, as well as with a radio wave. These methods have proven their effectiveness: warts disappear completely after removal, wounds heal quickly, and the risk of keloid scars tends to zero. It is enough to follow the recommendations of the doctor, and soon there will be no trace of unpleasant neoplasms!

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Reasons for the appearance of

There is only one root cause for the appearance of any warts: the presence of the human papillomavirus in the human blood. HPV is the most common group of viruses on the planet: according to various sources, various strains of papillomavirus are present in the blood of most of the world’s population.

Different strains of papillomavirus can cause neoplasms. It can be both benign warts, warts or papillomas, and malignant formations.

That is why the appearance of any neoplasm of the skin, as well as a change in its appearance or size, is a good reason to consult a dermatologist. What if what seems like a harmless wart is a symptom of a much more formidable disease?

Types of warts

The most common warts.

• Vulgar (ordinary) . They are flat or hemispherical neoplasms of flesh color and are localized mainly on the hands. Painless, do not bleed.
• Plantar . Very dense formations, visually resembling corns and located on the soles of the feet. A plantar wart, when removed, leaves a crater that eventually fills with normal tissue. The larger and “older” the wart, the more painful it causes when walking and pressing. Patients often refer to plantar warts as thorns.
• Youth Flat . They are located mainly on open areas of the skin (including the face). More common in children and adolescents. Visually, they are flat formations of flesh or yellowish-brown color.
• Anogenital . A group of warts found mainly on the genitals. The most common form is genital warts. Unlike other forms, the main route of infection is sexual. Anogenital warts can be transmitted even during protected intercourse.

Machine-assisted destruction methods

Some warts may involute spontaneously (that is, disappear without outside intervention), but it is impossible to predict when this will happen and whether it will happen at all.

Dermatologists recommend removing warts, even if they don’t cause discomfort. Moreover, now it is extremely rare to resort to the help of a scalpel when removing small benign neoplasms. Hardware methods are less invasive, simple, safe and characterized by a short recovery period after manipulation.

Nitrogen Wart Removal

One of the oldest and cheapest ways to remove warts is cryosurgery. Removal of warts with liquid nitrogen has been practiced for many decades with constant success. Despite the emergence of innovative methods, nitrogen wart removal is still part of the spectrum of medical clinics. For some neoplasms (for example, plantar warts), cryosurgery is considered by many doctors to be the best treatment.

The essence of the method is to “freeze” the neoplasm: it is affected by an applicator with liquid nitrogen. As a result of cryogenic exposure, neoplasm cells are irreversibly destroyed.

The treatment is practically painless, the need for anesthesia is extremely rare. Full restoration of tissues occurs within 2-6 weeks after the intervention, and there is no need to take care of the problematic area of ​​the skin: the affected area is restored by itself. The risks of scarring are even lower than when using hardware methods.

Unfortunately, the removal of warts with liquid nitrogen can not be applied in all areas. For example, nitrogen cannot be used for cryodestruction of neoplasms on the eyelids, near the eyes and on the mucous membranes.

Of the minuses of cryodestruction, it is not always possible to remove a wart in one procedure, which means that several visits to the doctor may be required.

Radio wave wart removal

Radio wave wart removal is an advanced treatment for the clinical manifestations of HPV. The device generates radio waves that are fed to the electrode in the form of a ball, rhombus or loop. A doctor armed with a “radio knife” accurately excised a neoplasm, leaving healthy tissues intact. The intervention is performed under local anesthesia.

Tissue recovery is fast (even faster than after a laser), the wart disappears without a trace after removal, without scars and age spots. Another significant advantage of this method is its versatility: the radio wave can be used on any part of the body, including the most delicate ones (eyelids, near the eyes, on the mucous membranes, genitals, scalp).

High-tech equipment capable of generating radio waves of specified parameters is successfully used in various fields of medicine: dermatology, surgery, gynecology, urology, and dentistry. The method of radio wave surgery is widely used, however, after removal, most patients believe that the removal was performed by a laser, since these methods are almost identical in terms of sensations, results and price.

Radio wave removal of warts allows, if necessary, to take material for histological examination and thus accurately differentiate the formation.

In the medical center “Clinic” CELSIUM “removal of neoplasms by radio waves is practiced using the device of radio wave surgery “Surgitron” (USA). Our specialists have received special training in radiosurgery and have extensive experience.

Laser wart removal

Laser wart removal is widely used by dermatologists. The neoplasm is “evaporated” layer by layer by a directed laser beam of given parameters. Previously, the doctor uses local injection anesthesia.

The risk of recurrence is determined by the location, the type of neoplasm and the depth of the lesion. With a professional procedure, vulgar and flat warts do not recur after removal, tissue restoration occurs within 2-4 weeks, most often without scarring.

Laser removal of plantar warts does not always bring good results. The intervention site is constantly injured when walking, which can cause severe discomfort and even pain, as well as slow healing. The formation of scar tissue is not excluded. In this regard, not all specialists use laser removal of plantar warts, some doctors prefer to remove plantar warts with nitrogen.

Electrocoagulation

Electrocoagulation uses a device that generates an electric current. The electrode or loop manipulated by the doctor is heated to a very high temperature. In fact, the wart is “burned out”, which leads to its destruction. Vessels coagulate under the influence of high temperatures.

This method is considered the most painful of all – anesthesia is almost always required. Unfortunately, after electrocoagulation, warts sometimes recur, and scars and age spots may occur. That is why electrocoagulation is used to remove neoplasms in open areas of the skin only when other methods are not available.

Removal at the CELSIUM Clinic

If you have warts, you should not ignore them or self-medicate: papillomavirus is very insidious. We invite you to the CELSIUM Clinic medical center, where an experienced dermatologist will deal with complex treatment of human papillomavirus infection (including its external manifestations).

We use cryosurgery and radio wave surgery to remove warts. It is possible to remove a skin neoplasm immediately on the day of treatment, a consultation with a dermatologist immediately before removal is free. Pre-registration is required, by phone or through the website.

The sooner you make an appointment, the sooner you will get rid of unaesthetic neoplasms, spending a minimum of time and money on treatment!

Prices for the removal of warts, other neoplasms

Due to a sharp change in the ruble exchange rate and logistical problems with suppliers, PLEASE Clarify the current prices and availability of drugs by phone

Dermatology

• Primary appointment with a dermatologist (trichologist) (without dermatoscopy)

  1400 rub

• Repeated appointment with a dermatologist (trichologist) (without dermatoscopy) (no more than 2 months from the previous appointment)

  1100 rub

• Dermatoscopy

  450 rub

• Examination of the scalp under magnification (trichology)

  800 rub

• Wood’s lamp examination

  250 rub

• Histological examination of material

  2300 rub

Removal of skin neoplasms

• Removal (radio wave destruction) of milia, papillomas, small benign neoplasms, pinpoint angiomas, acne elements, molluscum contagiosum:

• 1 element

  600 rub

• from 10 elements

  400 rub

• From 20 elements

  300 rub

• From 50 elements

  200 rub

• Removal of neoplasm on the eyelid – 1 element

  1200 rub

• Removal of telangiectasias – 1 sq. cm (radio wave destruction)

  1200 rub

• Removal of benign neoplasms (keratoma, fibroma, etc.) – 1 element (radio wave destruction or cryodestruction).
  Anesthesia included :

• D

  1900 rub

• D > 1 cm

  2300 rub

• Removal of palmar warts (cryolysis) – 1 element.

  900 rub

• Removal of plantar warts (cryolysis) – 1 element.

  900 – 1000 rub

• Removal of palmar warts (radio wave method) – 1 element.
  Anesthesia included

  1900 rub

• Removal of plantar warts (radio wave method) – 1 element.
  Anesthesia included

  2300 rub

• Radiosurgical removal of benign melanocytic and non-melanocytic formations (moles, wen, etc.) – 1 element.
  Anesthesia included:

• D

  2400 rub

• D > 1 cm

  2900 rub

• Scalp treatment for radiosurgical removal of a neoplasm

  400 rub

Anesthesia for extractions

• Anesthesia application (cream, spray)

  200 rub

• Anesthesia injection (1 ampoule)

  500 rub

Scar tissue treatment

• Treatment of scar tissue (cryolysis) – area up to 1.