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Minor surgery. Your doctor can cut away the bothersome tissue. It may leave a scar in the treated area. Anyone can develop warts, but factors that increase the risk include: frequently getting the hands wet, hands or feet that sweat heavily, swimming in public swimming pools and walking barefoot in areas where others have walked barefoot, such as communal showers and changing rooms. 4,7,8 How to treat warts and verrucas at home Peeling medicine (salicylic acid). Nonprescription wart removal products such as salicylic acid are available as a patch, ointment, pad and liquid. For common warts, look for a 17 percent salicylic acid solution. These products (Compound W, Dr. Scholl's Clear Away Wart Remover, others) are usually used daily, often for a few weeks. For best results, soak your wart in warm water for a few minutes before applying the product. File away any dead skin with a disposable emery board or a pumice stone between treatments. Warts and verruca can be easy to identify, but their appearance can vary depending on where they are on the body. 1,2,4
Home treatment is often effective in removing common warts. Unless you have an impaired immune system or diabetes, try these methods: If you are concerned about your wart or verruca or if your wart or verruca persists after home treatment, you should speak to your GP. Bring a list of all medications you take regularly — including over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications and dietary supplements — and the daily dosage of each.
Optimising your general foot health
Freezing (cryotherapy). Freezing therapy done at a doctor's office involves applying liquid nitrogen to your wart. Freezing works by causing a blister to form under and around your wart. Then, the dead tissue sloughs off within a week or so. This method may also stimulate your immune system to fight viral warts. You'll likely need repeat treatments. Warts are benign growths on the skin caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and can appear anywhere on the body, either alone or in clusters. 1-5 The term “verruca” can also be used when referring to warts on the body, or when specifically referring to a wart on the sole of the foot (more technically known as “verruca plantaris” or simply plantar wart). 2,6 What are the signs of warts and verrucas? Over-the-counter options such as the Scholl Freeze Verruca & Wart Remover use a mixture of dimethyl ether and propane to rapidly freeze warts and verrucas in the comfort of your own home.
Freezing. Some liquid nitrogen products are available in nonprescription liquid or spray form (Compound W Freeze Off, Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away, others). Warts on the hands, elbows or knees are often raised, rough and scaly, and can range in size from pinhead to pea size. 6,7 Their colour can be the same as your skin and they are not usually painful – although they may itch sometimes. 3-5,7 Warts and verrucas are a common occurence. 2,4 With that said, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing a wart: 4,7,8
Lifestyle and home remedies
Warts and verrucas are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). 1,2 There are over 150 types known strains of HPV that can cause different types of warts and verrucas. 2 Try the Scholl Wart Removal System, which contains salicylic acid discs which breaks down hardened skin and ensure that only the specific problem area is treated, without affecting the surrounding skin.