How to get rid of warts

A wart is a rough or smooth skin growth caused by a type of human papillomavirus affecting the outer skin. It may occur on fingers, hands, feet or other areas and can spread through direct contact or by sharing items that touch affected skin. Not every lump or rough patch is a wart, so an unusual lesion should not be treated at home without confirmation.

Do not pick, cut or shave over a wart, and wash your hands after touching it. Keep it covered when practical and avoid sharing towels, nail tools or footwear. A clinician may discuss imiquimod treatment, freezing with cryotherapy, electrosurgery or a dedicated wart-removal procedure. Choice depends on location, thickness, number of lesions, skin health and whether the growth is painful or recurrent.

Arrange an assessment if a growth bleeds, changes colour or shape, becomes painful, ulcerates, spreads quickly or returns after treatment. Seek advice before self-treatment if it is on the face or genitals, or if you have diabetes, reduced circulation or a weakened immune system. A diagnosis is especially important when the appearance is not typical for a wart.

Ask whether the lesion is definitely a wart, which option suits its location, how to care for treated skin, and what signs would mean it needs reassessment.