What is the first treatment tried for warts?

Warts are rough skin growths linked to a viral infection of the outer skin. Cryotherapy uses controlled cold to injure the wart so the body can clear the treated tissue. It can cause temporary soreness, redness, swelling, or a blister, and more than one visit may be needed. A clinician first checks that the growth looks like a wart rather than another type of lesion.

Do not cut, burn, or share files used on a wart, because this can injure skin and spread the virus. Keep the area clean and avoid picking it after treatment. Location matters: a wart near the eye, on the genitals, or on a foot under pressure may need a different plan. If cryotherapy is unsuitable or does not work, options can include imiquimod treatment, electrosurgery, or a broader wart-removal procedure.

Have a clinician assess a growth that bleeds, changes colour, grows quickly, is very painful, or does not resemble your usual warts. Seek earlier advice if you have diabetes, poor circulation, reduced immunity, or numbness in the affected area. After treatment, seek help for spreading redness, pus, fever, or pain that is getting worse.

Does this growth have the typical appearance of a wart? Is cryotherapy suitable for its location? How should I protect the treated skin? When should persistent or recurrent growths be rechecked?