Flat warts are typically small but appear in groups when an infection occurs. Although they are not highly contagious, they can spread through person-to-person contact. Many flat warts disappear on their own within 2 years. But if the warts appear in a particularly visible area, such as the hands or face, you may want to remove them more quickly.
Step 1
Cover the affected area with duct tape for 2 to 3 weeks. You may need to replace the tape if it's in an area that sweats heavily, such as the bottom of the foot. But keep the wart covered continually, and the wart will disappear.
Step 2
Use an over-the-counter remedy (see Resources). Ointments or treated bandages that include salicylic acid are most effective and can work in a few weeks.
Step 3
Remove dead skin around the wart with a pumice stone when changing the bandage or duct tape. This helps slough off the infected skin more quickly, making the treatment more effective. Throw away the pumice stone at the end of treatment to avoid further infection.
Tips and Warnings
- Call a doctor for a freezing treatment if home and over-the-counter remedies fail. Using liquid nitrogen, your doctor can instantly remove a flat wart. It can be mildly uncomfortable, but there's no waiting for the wart to die off. Avoid sharing washcloths, towels or other things may touch a wart while treating an infestation.
- Facial warts are best treated by a dermatologist.
Things You'll Need
- Duct tape
- Pumice stone
