Wart removal

Alternative Names

Removal of warts

Information

Question:

Can warts be safely removed without seeing a dermatologist?

Answer:

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications containing salicylic acid are often effective in removing warts. These medications are usually a liquid that can be painted onto the wart, or a pad that is placed over the wart. An OTC device to freeze warts is also available.

Keeping a wart loosely covered with duct tape for many weeks may also help it to disappear, although this has never been proven to work. Any wart that does not respond to OTC treatments should be examined by a dermatologist. See: Warts

References

Bonnez W, Reichman RC. Papillomaviruses. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingston Elsevier;2009:chap 144.