Wart

Skin

Verruca, Verrucae, Viral wart, HPV wart, cutaneous wart

A wart is a small, benign skin growth caused by infection with human papillomavirus, which triggers the outer layer of skin to thicken and form a rough, raised lesion. Warts can appear anywhere on the body, but are common on the hands and feet—on the soles they are known as plantar warts and may grow inward due to pressure. They often have tiny black dots (thrombosed capillaries), which help distinguish them from corns or calluses. Although many warts resolve spontaneously over months to years, they can be painful or spread to other areas, leading patients to seek treatment such as salicylic acid, cryotherapy, or other destructive therapies. Warts are contagious through direct or indirect contact, especially in moist environments like locker rooms or shared showers.

AI Summary of Treatment Experiences

Not medical advice.

# Treatment Summary for Wart Based on user reviews, salicylic acid (liquid solutions and plasters) is recommended as the first-line, over-the-counter treatment due to its effectiveness, affordability, and ease of home use. Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen is highly rated as an effective next step when OTC treatments fail, offering faster results despite potential discomfort. Imiquimod is suggested for persistent cases resistant to initial treatments, working by stimulating immune response rather than direct destruction. Several other treatments including antigen injections, dinitrochlorobenzene, podophyllotoxin, cantharidin, and laser therapy are available options, though reviewers provided no detailed feedback on these approaches.