Wart and verruca treatment options

No active treatment. Just leave them to go away on their own.

Benefits

3 in 10 cases of warts will disappear without treatment within three months. However, some will last for years. Not using any treatment has no side-effects and you don't need to bother about them. You do not need to cover them when you swim because this does not reduce the risk of infecting others.

Risks

7 in 10 cases of warts will not go within three months. There is a small possibility they might spread. Plantar warts (verrucas - on the bottom of your feet) can be painful but you can pare them down with an emery board.

Covering with duct tape

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Caustic agents - eg, salicylic acid preparations

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Home freezing (cryotherapy).

This involves covering the wart with a piece of waterproof tape (ie duct tape) and leaving it for six days. After removing the tape, rub with a nail file or pumice stone and reapply the tape the next day. Repeat until the wart has gone, but for no longer than two months.

These are widely available over the counter. Involves putting ointment directly on to the wart, sometimes covering with a dressing. Follow the instructions on the label.

These agents are more effective if you soften the wart first.

You can buy an over-the-counter 'freezing' kit. Follow the instructions on the label.

Benefits

This treatment may be effective in about 8 in every 10 people. It is cheap and easy to apply. The duct tape softens the skin and may make it less painful. There is no danger of chemical burns or ulceration. It can be used to treat a wider area of warts and large areas of verrucas.

One study suggested about 8 in every 10 warts cleared within 6 weeks. It works as well as or better than any other treatment for warts, but may take some weeks or months. Relatively cheap and easy to apply. Softens and dissolves the skin and may make it less painful. Can be used in young children (from 4-5 years).

This can be a quick, one-off treatment, but you can repeat it. Can work for a single localised wart or verruca. Some GP practices offer this treatment.

Risks

It will NOT work in 2 in every 10 people. Can cause verrucas to become more painful or uncomfortable when standing on them. The tape can loosen and roll up. This treatment takes time. It should not be used on feet which have reduced feeling or poor circulation (such as if you have diabetes).

These can irritate the surrounding skin which can cause more pain. Can cause ulceration and should not be used by patients with diabetes or bad circulation. Can only be used on a small area at a time.

This is relatively expensive unless your GP practice offers it. This treatment can be painful. It is only useful for individual warts. It should not be used for young
children (under 8 years old). It can cause ulceration if you have poor circulation.

Freezing (cryotherapy)

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Minor surgery.

Involves freezing the wart, usually using liquid nitrogen. The result is a small area of frostbite where the wart was. This is often done as a one-off treatment but sometimes a course of treatments is needed.

Surgical excision of the wart and surrounding tissue. The wound is usually stitched. This is done in a minor surgery clinic but many
places will not offer this treatment.

Benefits

Causes a deeper and more thorough 'freeze' than home treatment options. Seems to work best for single or small warts or verrucae. Studies vary but about 4 in every 10 warts or verrucas will be cured. Repeated treatments are probably better than single treatments.

One-off treatment. Removes the wart or verruca completely.

Risks

Treatment can be painful. Can only be used to treat small areas at one time. Not for use in children under 8 years old. Can cause ulceration in people with poor circulation to hands or feet.

Requires local anaesthetic (an injection). Requires a visit to the doctor and may not always be available in your area. Warts often return after
surgery. Can cause scarring.