Warts are an infection in the skin, mouth or genitals that is caused by a virus. Though there is a chance a wart can disappear on its own, it can be bothersome, embarrassing and contagious. For that reason, you should see your doctor, who may try one of a number of treatments for wart removal.
Topical Treatments
There are a number of topical solutions your doctor may suggest, such as salicylic acid, an over-the-counter medication, to treat warts on the hands, feet or knees. Usually, it takes several weeks for the wart to disappear completely. Another option your doctor may suggest is cantharidin, a substance that gets "painted" onto the wart. The chemical is then covered by a bandage. Blistering and some pain will occur three to eight hours after application, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Another option that freezes the wart is liquid nitrogen, used in cryotherapy. This treatment is usually slightly painful, but is often effective. This treatment causes a blister to form under and around the wart. The dead tissue then sloughs in about a week. Your doctor may use local anesthesia for a large wart.
Surgical Treatments
If topical treatments have not been effective, your doctor may suggest removing your skin wart by burning it or cutting it out. Your doctor may cut away the wart tissue or destroy it using an electric needle. Another option is laser surgery. Although these treatments are effective, they can be expensive and may leave a scar.
Treatments for Genital Warts
Although genital warts can be removed by a doctor, there is no cure for the infection that causes this wart. One option for genital wart removal is podophyllin resin, a brown liquid that removes genital warts by stopping cell growth. This chemical gets painted onto the wart by a medical professional and washed off four hours later, according to Avert, an international HIV and AIDS charity. It must be applied carefully to avoid damaging any healthy tissue around the wart. Podopfilox lotion or gel can be applied to the warts at home, usually twice a day for three days, followed by four days without any treatment. This cycle is then repeated for four weeks.
