^

Health

How do you get rid of warts?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

There are several basic methods of getting rid of warts. Among them are laser therapy, cryodestruction, electrocoagulation, surgical excision. The effectiveness of various methods of getting rid of warts can be from fifty to ninety-five percent. The basic principles of destroying the human papilloma virus, which causes warts, are based on the destruction of the lesions using any of the above methods and immunostimulating therapy.

trusted-source[ 1 ], [ 2 ]

How to get rid of warts with laser therapy?

Laser therapy is a relatively new and quite effective way to get rid of warts. Radio wave exposure makes it possible to eliminate the affected areas without pain and risk of infection. After the procedure, the tissues heal quickly enough, no scars or spots remain on the skin. The wart is removed layer by layer, after local anesthesia. After laser destruction, visiting a bathhouse, sauna, solarium, as well as being in direct sunlight (two to three weeks) is contraindicated. The procedure is not performed during pregnancy, as well as in severe diseases such as diabetes, cancer, immunodeficiency states, etc.

Electrocoagulation

During electrocoagulation, warts are destroyed using an electrocoagulator under the influence of current. A dry crust forms on the affected area, which prevents infection and bleeding. Subsequently, the crust falls off on its own. Antiseptic agents, such as potassium permanganate, are used to treat the affected area. The crust should not be wetted or torn off by hand. After electrocoagulation, no traces remain on the skin. Only if the wart was extensive, a small spot may remain, which will disappear over time. Contraindications to electrocoagulation: herpes, oncopathologies.

trusted-source[ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Cryodestruction

Cryotherapy is the effect of liquid nitrogen on the affected areas. With a soft technique, the procedure destroys tissue or narrows blood vessels and expands capillaries, causing hyperemia of the damaged area. The deep freezing method is carried out using an applicator (wooden or with a metal tip), which is fixed on the wart for thirty seconds and eliminates epithelial cells. To achieve hyperemia of the skin without destroying cells, the applicator is held for 10-15 seconds. Before the procedure, the skin is lubricated with an alcohol solution.

If the warts are large and extensive, scraping can be performed with a special sharp spoon or scalpel.

trusted-source[ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Chemical method

This method of getting rid of warts is used relatively rarely. It consists of treating the neoplasm with acid or alkali. It should be noted that with such a procedure, the risk of damaging or infecting nearby tissues increases significantly. To treat warts, it is best to use salicylic acid, which is sold in pharmacies.

In case of plantar warts, before carrying out treatment procedures, emollients are applied - soda-soap applications, salicylic acid. The mechanism of action of these agents is associated with inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation and improvement of their exfoliation. To minimize pain during walking, rubber rings are fixed near the warts with adhesive tape. Every week, warts should be treated with podophyllin (contained in the drug condyline) for three to five weeks. After four hours, the solution should be washed off.

Pointed warts are lubricated with condyline twice a day for three days, then take a four-day break. The total course of treatment should not exceed five weeks. When treating flat warts, apply a thirty percent solution of trichloroacetic acid (once every seven days). Vulgar warts on the hands and feet are removed with a laser (the positive effect is visible after the first session). To get rid of plantar warts, use liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy).

Solcoderm is also used to treat various types of warts. The ointment is applied using an applicator, after cleaning the damaged area with ethanol. If the warts are too dense, it is recommended to remove the keratinized layer. Neoplasms with a circumference of more than ten millimeters are treated only if they are superficial. No more than four or five warts can be treated at a time. After a few days, the affected areas dry out, acquire a dark brown tint and look mummified. The procedure is performed by a doctor. The drug contains metal ions and nitrites, which have a destructive effect. If a negative reaction occurs around the affected area, you can use creams containing glucocorticosteroids or anesthetic ointment, damaged areas of the skin should not be rubbed. The scab falls off spontaneously, it should never be torn off, as this can lead to the formation of a scar. Until the wound heals, do not be exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet radiation. When treating the skin around the eyes and mucous membranes, be especially careful. If the product does get into your eyes or healthy areas of skin, rinse them with water immediately.

To remove common and plantar warts, pyrogenal injections are administered in a solution of sodium chloride. When pyrogenal is administered, the level of leukocytes in the blood decreases, which subsequently, on the contrary, increases. Tissue permeability also increases, the development of scar tissue is suppressed, etc. When treating warts, it is possible to use interferons and their inducers, which increase the ability of T-lymphocytes to destroy cells with an altered structure.

trusted-source[ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ]

How to get rid of warts using folk remedies?

Supporters of folk methods of treatment offer their own ways to get rid of warts. You can use the juice of sour apples, onions, garlic for these purposes. Honey and herbs are also used. To prepare an ointment with acetic acid, it should be mixed with flour and applied to the wart, without touching the surface of healthy skin. However, it is necessary to clearly understand that with home treatment there is always a risk of harming your health, since warts are a viral disease that requires professional and qualified treatment from a dermatologist.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.