Common warts on the hands and fingers and plantar warts on the feet are not harmful, but they look ugly. Plantar warts sometimes impede walking if they grow on a sensitive area. There are many over-the counter (OTC) wart treatments that can be found at pharmacies and other stores that carry drugs. They are simple to use and will effectively treat most warts without a visit to the doctor as long as you properly use them on a consistent basis.
Liquid Wart Remover
Liquid wart remover contains a substance called salicylic acid, according to the Mayo Clinic. The acid causes the wart to peel away until it is completely gone, which can take several weeks. It must be used every day to be completely effective. The liquid is dabbed onto the wart, which is covered with a bandage between applications. Experts at the Mayo Clinic advise soaking the affected area in warm water before putting on the liquid and filing away dead tissue with pumice or a nail file.
Wart Removal Pads
Wart removal pads contain the same substance as liquid wart remover, but the medicated pads are easier to use for some people. The adhesive pad is put over the wart and sticks in place, which eliminates the need for dabbing and a bandage. The old pad should be removed as directed on its packaging, and the wart can be soaked and filed before you place a new pad. The entire removal process usually takes several weeks.
Wart Freezing Kits
Treating warts by freezing them is called cryotherapy. This treatment used to be limited to doctors, but several companies now sell home freezing kits. The substance used is not a strong as the liquid nitrogen used by a physician, the Mayo Clinic states, but it is still effective for many common and plantar warts. Freezing is usually the fastest OTC methods for treating warts. They may be completely gone after only one or two treatments.
