How to Treat Warts

Video Transcript

DR. LISA RHODES: Hi, I'm Doctor Lisa Rhodes with Westlake Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery. Warts are benign overgrowth of skin caused by an infection with the virus. They're very common on the hands, on the lower legs and on the bottom of the feet. Treatment can be difficult but a good first line treatment is over-the-counter salicylic acid paste. What that does is it causes the skin to get a little peely and wet white and that will peel off and hopefully remove that viral load and thin the skin there where it's thickened up kind of protecting itself and hopefully get rid of the wart. If that doesn't do the trick, I recommend seeing your primary care doctor or your dermatologist for further treatment. Further treatments can include treating with liquid nitrogen, treating with topical irritating creams or injecting medications into the wart, hopefully augmenting or helping the immune system to fight off the virus.