Common Warts
What are common warts?
Common warts are local growths in the skin that are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Although they are considered to be contagious, it is very common for just one family member to have them. In addition, they often affect just one part of the body (such as the hands or the feet) without spreading over time to other areas.
What are some types of common warts?
* There is the familiar type of dome-shaped warts on the backs of fingers, toes, and knees.
* Plantar warts are found on the bottom of the foot. (The "plantar" part of the foot. These are not "Planter's warts.")
* Flat ("plane") warts may arise on the face, legs, and other parts of the body, often in large numbers.
* Periungual warts are warts around or under the nail.
* Filiform warts typically appear as a single long stalk, often on the face.
What is the treatment for common warts?
Salicylic-acid preparations
These are available as drops, gels, pads, and plasters. They are designed for application to all kinds of warts, from tiny ones to great, big lumpy ones. Salicylic acid is a keratolytic medication, 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.
Nonprescription freezing methods
Aerosol wart treatments available over-the-counter use sprays that freeze warts at a temperature of minus 70F (minus 57C). This compares with the liquid nitrogen used by most dermatologists, which is considerably colder (minus 320F or minus 196C).
Duct tape
It is claimed that warts can be "suffocated" by covering them with duct tape or other nonbreathing tape, such as electrical tape. This treatment is hard to use, however, because in order to work, the tape must be left in place all the time and removed only a few hours once per week. Almost always, the tape falls off.