Warts are common, harmless skin growths caused by a virus. Many go away on their own, but they can take months or years to do so, spread to other areas, or be painful, especially on the feet. Our board-certified dermatologists treat warts in children and adults, serving North Dallas, Preston Hollow, Highland Park, University Park, Lake Highlands, White Rock and Richardson.
What Causes Warts?
Warts are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), which infect the top layer of skin and make it grow faster than normal. The virus enters through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin, which is why warts often appear on the hands, around the nails and on the feet.
Warts are contagious. They spread through direct contact with a wart or with surfaces such as shared towels, shower floors and pool decks. Picking, biting the nails or shaving over a wart can spread it to new areas. Children, teens and people with a weakened immune system are more likely to get warts.
Types of Warts
- Common warts: rough, raised bumps, usually on the fingers, hands and around the nails. Tiny black dots, which are small clotted blood vessels, are often visible.
- Plantar warts: on the soles of the feet. Pressure from walking pushes them inward, so they can feel like a pebble in your shoe.
- Flat warts: small, smooth, slightly raised bumps that often appear in groups on the face, legs or beard area, and can spread with shaving.
- Filiform warts: thin, thread-like growths, often around the mouth, nose or eyes.
- Periungual warts: around or under the fingernails and toenails. They can be stubborn and may affect nail growth.
Genital warts are caused by different types of HPV and need different care, so please see a medical provider rather than using over-the-counter wart products in that area.
When to See a Dermatologist
- Over-the-counter treatment hasn’t worked after a few months
- The wart is painful, bleeding or spreading
- It’s on your face, genitals or around the nails
- You have diabetes, poor circulation or a weakened immune system
- You aren’t sure the growth is a wart
Some growths, including corns, calluses, skin tags and, rarely, skin cancer, can look like warts. An exam helps make sure you get the right treatment.
Wart Treatment Options
No single treatment works for every wart, and more than one session is often needed. Depending on the type, location and how long you have had the wart, your dermatologist may recommend:
- Cryotherapy: freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, usually repeated every few weeks until it clears. This is one of the most common in-office treatments.
- Salicylic acid: a peeling medicine applied at home, often used between office visits. Stronger formulas may be recommended.
- Cantharidin: a liquid applied in the office that causes a blister to form under the wart, lifting it off the skin.
- Prescription creams: some topical medicines can help, especially for flat warts.
- Immunotherapy: treatments that encourage your immune system to fight the wart virus, sometimes used for warts that keep coming back.
- Minor procedures: for stubborn warts, options can include scraping (curettage), electrosurgery or cutting the wart out. These can leave a scar, so they are usually saved for warts that don’t respond to other treatments.
Warts in Children
Warts are very common in kids, and many go away on their own. When treatment is needed, we choose options that are comfortable and practical for children. Learn more about our pediatric dermatology care.
Preventing Warts
- Wear flip-flops in locker rooms, public showers and around pools.
- Don’t pick at, scratch or bite warts or nails.
- Avoid shaving over warts, and don’t share razors, towels or nail tools.
- Keep your feet clean and dry, and cover warts with a bandage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Warts
Many warts do go away without treatment, especially in children, but it can take months to a couple of years. Treatment can speed things up and help keep warts from spreading.
It varies. Some warts clear after one or two treatments, while others, especially plantar warts and warts around the nails, need several sessions a few weeks apart.
Cryotherapy stings or burns briefly during treatment, and the area may be sore for a day or two. A blister often forms and heals over a week or two.
Yes. Even after a wart clears, the virus can remain in the skin and new warts can appear. Following prevention tips and treating new warts early helps.
Tired of a stubborn wart? Schedule an appointment or call (214) 420-7070 to see one of our dermatologists and physician assistants, and see our accepted insurance plans. Wart treatment is part of our medical dermatology care.
