Common warts are noncancerous, unrelated to moles and require no specific treatment. While they eventually disappear on their own, most people who have warts prefer to take action to make them go away sooner rather than later, especially since warts can be spread to others by contact.
A Viral Nuisance
According to the Mayo Clinic, common warts are caused by the human papillomavirus, better known as HPV. Rapid cell growth on the outer skin layer causes warts to appear, usually on the fingers, hands or feet. Treatments typically recommended by a physician or dermatologist include minor surgery or laser surgery, either to cut away the offending tissue or to use an electric needle to destroy it; application of cantharidin (a blister beetle extract) along with other chemicals to separate the wart from the skin; freezing and gradually peeling off the wart, a process called cryotherapy; "immunotherapy," using medications such as squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE) or Imiquimod (Aldara); direct injection of either interferon-alfa or bleomycin (Blenoxane); or vitamin A-derived retinoids either as an oral medication or a topical cream. However, certain home treatments can be tried if warts are not too severe or resistant.
Duct Tape Remedy
According to Dr. Christine Dobrowolski of Northcoast Footcare, household duct tape can be used to remove warts. The affected area must first be washed to remove oils, and then allowed to dry. A piece of duct tape larger than the wart is cut and placed over the wart, centered so as to adhere to unaffected skin. Each time the duct tape wears off or peels away over the next week to 10 days, a new piece is cut and placed over the wart. The affected area is then periodically soaked in warm water and rubbed gently with an emery board (a pumice stone is too harsh) until the wart is gone, a process that can take up to eight weeks. According to the Mayo Clinic, while a much-publicized 2002 research study recommended this treatment, other researchers have not found the duct tape approach to be provably effective. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health has issued this caution: "Do not attempt to remove a wart yourself by burning, cutting, tearing, picking or any other method."
Topical Applications
Salicylic acid, available in drugstores in products such as Compound W or Occlusal-HP or as stronger prescription salicylic acid medicines, can be used for home treatment of warts (pregnant women may need to consult a doctor before applying an acid solution). Gentler home treatments without side effects may possibly help as well. A cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar and gently squeezed out to remove saturation can be placed on the wart, covered with adhesive tape, and kept on overnight for a period of seven to 10 days. Alternatively, raw potato, garlic or a banana peel may be rubbed over the wart and the wart covered with tape or a bandage. In contrast to salicylic acid, no supporting medical literature exists to confirm these topical home treatments' effectiveness. Nevertheless, many people claim to have success with these approaches. If no home treatment appears to be working, however, it may be wise to consult a dermatologist about the more conventional treatments described above.
