Warts
(Common Warts)

Medical Author: Alan Rockoff, MD
Medical Editors: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR and Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

• What are common warts?
• What is the treatment for common warts?
• Is using salicylic acid products for warts safe?
• Are wart treatments effective?
• What if these treatments fail?
• Related plantar warts treatment articles:
  Plantar warts treatment - on WebMD

Warts—A Common Infectious Disease Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Medical Editor: Barbara K. Hecht, PhD The warts commonly seen on the skin are caused by a viral infection. The culprit is one of the HPVs (human papillomaviruses) that can be spread from person to person or be acquired through contact with a contaminated surface. Over 100 types of HPVs have been identified that infect skin or mucous membranes, depending on the virus type. HPV types that infect skin lead to the development of common skin warts. HPVs have gained widespread attention for their proven role in the development of genital and anal cancers, particularly cancer of the cervix. Specific "high risk" types of HPV that infect the mucosal tissue that lines the genital area are responsible for these carcinogenic (cancer-causing) effects. "High risk" HPVs have also been implicated in the development of a subset of head and neck cancers that develop in the area of the tonsils. There are also "low risk" HPV types that lead to the development of benign lesions in the genital area, such as genital warts. Some of these HPV types infect skin and cause warts in various locations on the body. Other HPV types cause benign growths, or papillomas, on the vocal cords. Learn about wart treatment and prevention » Top Searched Warts Terms: plantar, vaginal, men, venereal, treatment, human papillomavirus

What are common warts?

Common warts are local growths in the skin that are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. They are generally not contagious.

What is the treatment for common warts?

Common warts can be annoying to anyone. This information is about the treatment of common warts. It does not apply to genital or venereal warts. Over-the-counter treatment for common skin warts is based upon the use of products containing salicylic acid.

Ingredient-wise, all wart products are the same.

Salicylic acid preparations are available as drops, gels, pads, and plasters. They are designed to apply to all kinds of warts, from tiny ones to great, big lumpy ones. Salicylic acid is a keratolytic, which means it dissolves the protein (keratin), which makes up most of both the wart and the thick layer of dead skin that often tops it.

Is using salicylic acid products for warts safe?

You can't damage yourself with these treatments. If you get salicylic acid on normal skin, it can cause burning or redness, but never infection or scarring. All you have to do is stop using it on irritated areas, and the skin returns to normal. Still, it's probably better not to use salicylic acid on sensitive areas like the face or groin, where it's likely to make nearby skin raw and uncomfortable.

It generally is recommended that salicylic acid not be used in diabetics or when there is poor circulation (because of concern about how normally the skin can heal; however, in practice, salicylic acid is withheld only when there are clear signs of ongoing inflammation of the skin).

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Laser Resurfacing - Laser resurfacing directs short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at irregular skin. Laser skin resurfacing removes skin very precisely, layer by layer, resulting in fewer problems with hypopigmentation (lightening of skin). This popular procedure is known by several other names, including lasabrasion, laser peel or laser vaporization. Source:WebMD Medical Reference from The Cleveland Clinic Skin Tag - Read about skin tags (acrochordons), benign skin growths thought to be caused by skin friction, treatment, removal and other causes. Plus, see a picture of a skin tag. Source:MedicineNet Corns - Source:MedicineNet Read 25 more Warts (Common Warts) related articles ... Duct Tape for Warts? Maybe Not Health Tip: A Word About Warts Health Tip: Before a Wart is Removed