When you see a wart, a small, rough growth on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Also known as verruca, it’s not dangerous—but it’s annoying, contagious, and often stubborn. Warts show up on fingers, feet, knees, even around nails. They don’t always go away on their own, and waiting can mean spreading them to other parts of your body—or to someone else.
Not all warts are the same. Plantar warts grow on the soles of your feet and hurt when you walk. Flat warts cluster on the face or legs. Genital warts need a doctor’s care. But for common warts on hands or fingers, you’ve got options. Salicylic acid, a topical treatment that slowly peels away infected skin is the most common first step. You apply it daily for weeks. It’s cheap, available over the counter, and works for most people—if you stick with it. Then there’s cryotherapy, freezing warts with liquid nitrogen. Clinics do this fast, but it can sting and sometimes needs repeat visits. Home freezing kits exist too, but they’re weaker and less reliable.
What no one tells you? Your immune system plays a big role. Some warts vanish when your body finally recognizes the virus. That’s why treatments like duct tape or apple cider vinegar might work—not because they’re magic, but because they irritate the skin enough to wake up your immune response. Studies show that stimulating local immunity helps clear warts faster than just chemical peeling or freezing alone.
Don’t pick, bite, or shave them off. That spreads the virus. And if a wart bleeds, changes shape, or won’t go away after months of home treatment, see a doctor. It might not be a wart at all. Skin cancers can look like warts, especially on older skin.
Below, you’ll find real-world advice from people who’ve tried everything—from prescription gels to laser treatments—and lived to tell the story. No fluff. No hype. Just what works, what doesn’t, and why.
