Most people think warts are just a harmless annoyance - a rough bump on the finger or a painful spot under the foot. But behind every wart is a real viral infection: HPV. Human papillomavirus doesn’t just cause genital warts or cervical cancer. It’s also the reason you’ve got that stubborn bump on your knuckle, the cluster of tiny flat spots on your child’s face, or the painful growth on your heel that makes walking unbearable. And while many warts go away on their own, waiting isn’t always the best option - especially when they spread, hurt, or ruin your confidence.

What Exactly Is a Viral Wart?

A viral wart is a small, rough growth caused by an infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). There are over 100 types of HPV, and different strains target different parts of the skin. For example:

  • HPV types 1, 2, and 4 cause common warts - usually on fingers, hands, or around nails.
  • HPV types 3 and 10 cause flat warts - small, smooth, and often appearing in groups on the face, arms, or legs.
  • HPV types 1, 2, 4, 60, and 63 are behind plantar warts - those deep, painful bumps on the soles of your feet that feel like you’re stepping on a pebble.

These aren’t just skin deep. The virus infects the top layer of skin, triggering rapid cell growth that forms the wart. It’s contagious, too. You can pick it up from walking barefoot in locker rooms, sharing towels, or even scratching a wart and spreading it to another part of your body.

Why Do Some Warts Go Away and Others Don’t?

Here’s the surprising part: 60 to 70% of viral warts disappear on their own within two years. Your immune system eventually recognizes the virus and clears it. But that doesn’t mean you should wait. Warts can multiply. A single wart can turn into ten. Plantar warts can make you limp. Flat warts on the face can be socially embarrassing.

And here’s the catch - the longer a wart stays, the harder it becomes to treat. The virus burrows deeper, and the skin around it thickens. That’s why early treatment often works better than waiting.

Topical Treatments: Salicylic Acid and Beyond

Salicylic acid is the most common over-the-counter treatment for warts. You’ll find it in liquid, gel, pad, or patch form - usually in concentrations between 17% and 40%. It works by slowly peeling away layers of the infected skin. But it’s not magic. You need to use it every day, consistently, for weeks.

Here’s how to make it work:

  1. Soak the wart in warm water for 10 minutes.
  2. Gently file the surface with an emery board or pumice stone (don’t use the same tool on healthy skin).
  3. Apply the salicylic acid directly to the wart, avoiding surrounding skin.
  4. Cover with a bandage if needed.
  5. Repeat daily for 6 to 12 weeks.

A 1976 study of over 1,800 patients found that salicylic acid cured 84% of plantar warts with proper use. That’s better than most people realize. But it requires patience. If you skip days, the treatment fails.

Other topical options include trichloroacetic acid (TCA), which dermatologists apply in-office. It’s stronger than salicylic acid and works by burning off the wart tissue. It’s especially useful for warts on thick skin - like the palms or soles. But it stings. And if it touches healthy skin, it can cause burns. That’s why it’s not sold over the counter.

Cryotherapy: Freezing Warts Off

Cryotherapy - freezing warts with liquid nitrogen - is one of the most popular in-office treatments. It’s fast, doesn’t require anesthesia, and works for most wart types.

The process: a dermatologist sprays liquid nitrogen onto the wart for 10 to 20 seconds. The extreme cold kills the infected cells. You’ll feel a sharp sting, then numbness. A blister forms, and the wart falls off in about 1 to 2 weeks.

But here’s what most people don’t know: timing matters. A 1976 study showed that treating warts every 2 to 3 weeks gave a 75% success rate. Stretch it to 4 weeks? Success drops to 40%. That’s because the immune system needs time to respond between treatments. Most patients need 3 to 6 sessions.

A 2023 review of seven studies comparing cryotherapy and salicylic acid found no significant difference in effectiveness for common warts after 12 weeks. Both work. But cryotherapy is faster - you see results in weeks, not months.

A teen standing in a locker room with plantar warts and shadowy viral vines gripping their foot.

Immunotherapy: Teaching Your Body to Fight Back

When warts won’t budge with acid or freezing, doctors turn to immunotherapy. The most common option is imiquimod cream, sold as Aldara or Zyclara. It doesn’t kill the virus directly. Instead, it tricks your immune system into attacking the wart.

Apply it three times a week, usually at night. The area will get red, swollen, and irritated - that’s the immune system doing its job. It can take 8 to 16 weeks to work, but it’s effective for stubborn warts that have resisted other treatments. Dermatologists often use it for flat warts on the face or recurring plantar warts.

It’s not for everyone. It’s expensive. It causes discomfort. But for patients who’ve tried everything else, it’s often the last resort that actually works.

More Aggressive Options: Lasers, Electrosurgery, and Surgery

If nothing else works, doctors may turn to stronger tools - but these come with risks.

  • Electrosurgery uses a needle-like electrode to burn the wart. It’s quick, but leaves a scar.
  • Laser treatment, like the VBeam pulse dye laser, targets the blood vessels feeding the wart. It’s precise and effective, but expensive and often not covered by insurance. The wart turns dark purple or black after treatment and sloughs off in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Surgical removal is rarely recommended. Cutting out a wart often leads to recurrence at the edges. The virus is still in the surrounding skin, and the scar tissue can become a new hiding place.

These options are usually reserved for warts that have lasted years, come back after multiple treatments, or are in sensitive areas like the genitals. They’re not first-line choices for simple hand or foot warts.

What Doesn’t Work - And Why

There’s a long list of home remedies people swear by: duct tape, apple cider vinegar, garlic, tea tree oil. Some small studies suggest duct tape might help, but the evidence is weak. Garlic has antiviral properties, but there’s no solid proof it clears warts faster than placebo.

And here’s the truth: most of these remedies don’t work because they don’t penetrate deep enough. HPV hides in the lower layers of skin. Surface treatments won’t reach it.

Also, don’t trust products that promise “instant removal.” Warts don’t vanish overnight. Any product claiming that is either misleading or using a harsh chemical that could damage your skin.

A dermatologist spraying liquid nitrogen on a wart as immune cells rush in.

How to Prevent Warts from Spreading

Treating the wart is only half the battle. Preventing spread is just as important.

  • Don’t pick or scratch warts. You’ll spread the virus to other parts of your body.
  • Wear flip-flops in public showers, pools, and locker rooms.
  • Don’t share towels, razors, or shoes.
  • Keep your feet dry. Moist skin is more vulnerable to HPV.
  • Use separate emery boards or pumice stones for warts and healthy skin.
  • Wash your hands after touching a wart.

Even after the wart is gone, the virus can linger. So continue good hygiene for a few weeks after treatment ends.

When to See a Doctor

You don’t need to rush to a dermatologist for every wart. But you should if:

  • The wart is painful, bleeding, or changing color.
  • You have diabetes or a weakened immune system - warts can become serious in these cases.
  • The wart doesn’t improve after 12 weeks of home treatment.
  • You’re not sure if it’s a wart - some skin cancers mimic warts.
  • You have many warts or they keep coming back.

Dermatologists can diagnose warts by sight, but if there’s doubt, they may do a biopsy. Don’t assume every bump is a wart. Melanoma, skin tags, and other growths can look similar.

The Bottom Line

Viral warts are common, frustrating, and often misunderstood. They’re not dangerous, but they’re not harmless either. The good news? You have options.

Start with salicylic acid - it’s cheap, safe, and works for most people if you’re consistent. If that fails, cryotherapy is your next best bet. For stubborn cases, immunotherapy like imiquimod can turn the tide. Avoid aggressive treatments unless you’ve tried everything else.

And remember: patience is key. No treatment works overnight. But with the right approach, most warts can be cleared - without scars, without surgery, and without lasting damage.