Warts are small, rough growths on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are very common, especially in children and teenagers, and are usually harmless. Most warts go away on their own within months to a couple of years, but treatment can speed this up if they are painful, spreading or bothersome.
Key facts
- Warts are caused by HPV infecting the top layer of the skin.
- They spread by direct contact or from contaminated surfaces such as shower floors.
- About two in three warts in children disappear without treatment within two years.
- Salicylic acid and freezing (cryotherapy) are the most commonly used treatments.
- Genital warts are sexually transmitted and need a health worker’s advice.
Types of warts
- Common warts: firm, rough bumps, often on the hands, fingers and knees.
- Plantar warts (verrucas): on the soles of the feet, often flat with small black dots, and can be painful when walking.
- Flat warts: small, smooth, flat-topped warts, often on the face, hands or legs, sometimes in large numbers.
- Filiform warts: long, thin growths, usually on the face around the mouth, nose or eyes.
- Genital warts: on or around the genitals or anus, caused by specific HPV types and spread through sexual contact.
How warts spread
- Direct skin-to-skin contact with a wart
- Touching surfaces or objects such as towels, razors and shared shower floors
- Spreading to other parts of your own body by picking, biting nails or shaving over warts
Warts are more likely where skin is cut, damp or softened, and in people with weakened immune systems.
Diagnosis
A doctor or pharmacist can usually recognise a wart by looking at it. If a growth looks unusual, bleeds, changes quickly or does not respond to treatment, a doctor may take a sample to rule out other skin conditions, including skin cancer.
Treatment
Treatment is not always necessary. If you choose to treat a wart:
Treatments you can use at home
- Salicylic acid gels, liquids or plasters from a pharmacy. Soak the wart in warm water, gently file the surface with a pumice stone or emery board, and apply daily for up to 12 weeks. Protect the surrounding skin.
- Duct tape covering the wart has been tried by some, but evidence is mixed.
Do not use salicylic acid on the face, genitals, or if you have diabetes or poor circulation, unless advised by a doctor, as it can cause skin damage and ulcers.
Treatments from a health worker
- Cryotherapy: freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, usually repeated every 2 to 3 weeks.
- Other options: stronger chemical treatments, laser therapy, minor surgery, or immune-based creams for stubborn warts.
What to avoid
- Do not cut, burn or dig out warts yourself. This can cause infection and scarring.
- Avoid unlabelled creams and caustic products sold online or in markets.
- Do not use wart treatments meant for hands or feet on genital warts.
Genital warts
Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection. They should be assessed at a clinic, where they can be treated and you can be tested for other infections. Condoms reduce but do not completely prevent spread. The HPV vaccine protects against the types that cause most genital warts, as well as those that cause cervical and other cancers. Read more in our guide to cancer.
Prevention
- Do not touch other people’s warts.
- Wear flip-flops in shared showers and around swimming pools.
- Do not share towels, socks, shoes or razors.
- Keep feet clean and dry.
- Cover warts with a plaster during sports or swimming.
- Avoid picking or biting warts and nails.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if a wart bleeds, changes in appearance, is very painful, or keeps coming back; if you have warts on your face or genitals; if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system; or if you are unsure whether it is a wart.
Frequently asked questions
Are warts dangerous?
Common warts on the hands and feet are harmless. Certain types of HPV that infect the genital area can cause cancer, which is why vaccination and screening matter.
Why do warts keep coming back?
The virus can remain in the skin around a treated wart. New warts can also appear until the immune system clears the virus.
