Products that Get Rid of Warts: OTC vs Prescription

Warts are common, non-cancerous skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus enters the skin through tiny breaks and causes extra skin cells to grow rapidly, forming a wart. Warts are contagious and spread through direct contact.

They typically appear as small, round, firm bumps that match your skin tone. However, some warts may be lighter or darker and can contain small black dots (clotted blood vessels). There are many different types of warts, each with unique characteristics.

While most warts disappear on their own, they can be bothersome or embarrassing. If you want to remove a wart, various over-the-counter and professional treatments are available.

What Causes Warts?

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus spreads through skin-to-skin contact with an existing wart or by touching contaminated objects like towels or shower floors. While many people come into contact with HPV, not everyone develops warts. Factors like overall health and immune system strength likely play a role in wart development.

Warts often appear in moist environments like locker rooms or swimming pools. Also, any break in the skin, such as a cut or scratch, can increase the risk of HPV infection and wart growth.

Types of Warts

Warts come in various forms based on appearance, location, and the specific HPV strain involved.

• Common warts (verruca vulgaris): Common warts are small, hard bumps on the skin often covered in tiny black dots. They are usually found on the fingers and hands and can range in size from the head of a pin to the size of a pea. Common warts are most commonly caused by HPV strains 2 and 4, but can also be caused by strains 1, 3, 7, 27, 29, and 57.
• Plantar warts (verruca plantaris): Plantar warts are typically found on the soles of your feet. Since the bottom of your feet supports the entire weight of your body, these warts are flat or may even grow inward. As a result, plantar warts can cause pain and pressure when walking and can be more difficult to treat. These small warts appear rough and spongy but can be found in clusters. Plantar warts are usually caused by HPV strains 1, 2, 4, 27, and 57.
• Flat warts (verruca plana): Flat warts are smooth and tiny (the size of a pinhead) and typically grow in clusters of up to 100. Flat warts can be found anywhere on the body but are most often found on the face. Flat warts are usually caused by HPV strains 3, 10, and 28.
• Filiform warts: Filiform warts are long, thin, and finger-like in the way they stick out of your skin. These warts typically grow on the face, specifically near the mouth, eyes, and nose. These distinctive warts are usually caused by HPV strains 1, 2, 4, 27, and 29.
• Genital warts (condyloma acuminatum): Though they are still warts, genital warts differ as they are considered sexually transmitted infections. These warts are passed through skin-to-skin contact in the genital areas and grow as small, hard bumps near or on the genitals and anus. Genital warts are most often caused by HPV strains 6 and 11. This infection is treated differently than other warts. A commonly used prescription cream is Imiquimod. If you notice warts on your genitals, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider regarding treatment.

Preventing Transmission

Warts are contagious, so it’s important to prevent their spread. The best way to avoid getting or spreading warts is by avoiding direct contact with warts or objects that have touched warts.

While it’s challenging to completely avoid contact with HPV, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after touching a wart or potentially contaminated surfaces.
• Avoid sharing personal items like towels, washcloths, razors, and nail clippers.
• Wear flip-flops or water shoes in public showers, locker rooms, and pool areas.
• Cover your warts with a bandage to prevent accidental spread.
• Avoid picking or scratching at warts.
• Seek treatment for existing warts to prevent further spread.

Over-the-Counter Products

Many people choose to treat warts at home due to discomfort, appearance, or the risk of spreading the virus. Several over-the-counter (OTC) products can help remove warts.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is the most common OTC wart treatment. Available as liquids, gels, or patches in various strengths (17-40%), it works by gradually removing the wart's top layers. While effective in about 50% of cases, treatment can take weeks or months. Popular brands include Compound W and Dr. Scholl's Clear Away.

How to use:

1. Soak the wart in warm water for 10 minutes to soften the skin.
2. Gently file down the wart with an emery board (dedicated for wart removal only).
3. Apply salicylic acid to the wart and cover if using liquid or gel.
4. Repeat once or twice daily until the wart is gone.

Freezing

Over-the-counter freezing products, containing dimethyl ether, work by freezing the wart to kill the tissue. While they're effective in up to 60% of cases and often work faster than salicylic acid treatments, they can be more uncomfortable. Popular brands include Compound W Freeze Off and Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away.  

How to use:

1. Insert the applicator into the product can.
2. Press the applicator firmly on the wart for up to 20 seconds.
3. Discard the applicator and wash hands.

Duct Tape

Duct tape is a less common wart treatment with varying results. It involves covering the wart with duct tape for several weeks or months, but the exact method of action is unknown. It's believed to possibly suffocate the wart or remove viral particles.

While OTC treatments can be effective, they may not work for everyone. If a wart persists or becomes painful, consult a healthcare provider.

When to See a Doctor

When should you see a healthcare provider for your warts? The most important reason to see a healthcare provider is if your wart looks suspicious, such as a strange color, pain, itching, bleeding, or if you have any medical conditions that weaken your immune system.

Even if your wart looks “normal,” another reason to see a healthcare provider for warts would be due to their size, location, and/or number. If warts are particularly large, there are many of them, or if they are in certain locations such as the face or genitals, it is important to see a healthcare provider to assess the best method of removal.

A healthcare provider has multiple other treatment options to offer, including both procedures and medication options. This includes:

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen to destroy the tissue. Your healthcare provider may swab your wart with this extreme cold (as cold as -321°F!), destroying the surface of the skin and encouraging the wart to die off. As it is very cold, this treatment may burn or sting, causing redness and a blister to form under/around the wart. Cryotherapy often needs to be repeated multiple times to be effective, typically with a break of at least a week between cycles.

Electrosurgery

Electrosurgery is a slightly less common method of wart removal that burns off the wart with an electric current. This method is often combined with another procedure known as curettage, in which the wart is scraped away with a sharp tool. This may occur before or after electrosurgery. To prevent discomfort, this procedure typically follows the application of a local anesthetic that helps to numb the area. Electrosurgery is typically reserved for warts that have failed other methods of removal and does sometimes leave scarring.

Surgical Excision

The wart is surgically removed with a scalpel or curette following numbing of the area with a local anesthetic. Like electrosurgery, surgical removal is typically only performed following the failure of other removal methods and can sometimes leave scarring.

Prescription Medications

This route is less common but may be required in specific situations, such as warts that are particularly stubborn. Some of the products that may be prescribed include:

• Fluorouracil: This medication is typically used as chemotherapy. However, when applied as a cream, it can be used to kill the wart-causing viruses. This is typically applied to the wart(s) and kept under a bandage every day for multiple months.
• Bleomycin: Like fluorouracil, bleomycin is usually an anti-cancer medication. However, this medication differs as it is injected directly into the wart(s) rather than applied as a cream. This injection may cause pain and sometimes has undesirable side effects such as fingernail loss if used for warts on the fingers.
• Immunotherapy: A “last resort” approach for wart removal is known as immunotherapy, as it uses your immune system to fight off the wart(s). In this case, the wart is injected with an antigen (something that stimulates the immune system). This results in a mild reaction, allowing your own immune system to fight off the wart.

Summary

Warts are contagious skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They come in various types and can appear anywhere on the body. While many warts clear up on their own, over-the-counter treatments, such as salicylic acid or freezing products, can be used to remove them. For persistent, painful, or numerous warts, consulting a healthcare provider is recommended. Professional treatments include cryotherapy, electrosurgery, surgical excision, and prescription medications. Preventing the spread of warts involves good hygiene practices and avoiding direct contact with warts or contaminated surfaces.

If you are unsure about the best way to treat your wart, it is always sensible to speak with a healthcare provider about the best method for you.

Commonly Asked Questions about Warts

Click on the questions below to expand the answer.