Common warts, caused by strains of HPV, are usually harmless and can be removed with home remedies. Recurring or painful warts should be treated by a doctor. Warts are most common in children and usually go away on their own within two years. Over-the-counter remedies are effective, but persistent warts may require professional removal.
Verruca vulgaris is the medical term for common warts, the small, flesh-colored bumps that typically appear on the hands. Common warts are caused by strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), a widespread and highly contagious pathogen. Verruca vulgaris is usually harmless, and warts rarely require treatment for health reasons. If a person is concerned or embarrassed about the physical appearance of warts, home remedies are usually effective in removing them. Recurring, persistent, or painful warts should be addressed at a doctor’s office to ensure they are being treated properly.
There are hundreds of unique strains of HPV, and some types manifest in different ways. The types that cause verruca vulgaris are relatively weak, from an immunological point of view, and health complications beyond the appearance of warts are unlikely. Common warts typically show up on the fingers and backs of the hands, but it’s possible for a wart to grow on a foot, knee, elbow, or elsewhere on the body. HPV is very contagious, and rubbing or scratching a wart can transfer the virus to another finger. Other people can also acquire HPV from touching an individual’s wart or sharing toiletries.
Verruca vulgaris is most common in young children, and many people are symptom-free in adulthood as their immune systems get stronger. Common warts are usually raised, rough, and less than 0.5 inch in diameter (about 1.25 centimeters). They rarely itch or cause pain, and most warts go away on their own about two years after they appear.
Because verruca vulgaris is harmless, doctors generally discourage treating the condition to avoid complications. However, many people choose to remove them for aesthetic purposes. Occasionally, treatment is needed when warts on the fingertips make it difficult to type or hold a pen. There are several methods for removing warts, and most don’t require a trip to the doctor’s office.
Pharmacies, supermarkets, and online specialty stores sell many over-the-counter wart remedies. Topical sanitary pads and creams that contain salicylic acid are usually very effective in drying out and eventually killing the wart tissue. You can also use a pumice stone or sterilized nail file to scrape away the dead skin. Some retailers sell liquid nitrogen applicators, which, when used exactly as directed, can freeze warts and cause them to fall off. Some people try to use a scalpel to remove warts at home, but doctors strongly advise against doing so as the cut can damage the underlying skin and leave the area susceptible to infection.
Warts that come back or don’t respond to home treatment can be removed by a doctor. A dermatologist can use liquid nitrogen to freeze them or an electric cautery tool to burn them. Large, persistent warts may need to be removed with a scalpel. When done by a professional, wart removal is almost always successful.
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