Common Wart

What is a common wart?

A common wart is also called verruca vulgaris. A common wart is a thick, rough skin growth caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a germ that spreads by skin-to-skin contact. Common warts are benign (not cancer).

What increases my risk for a common wart?

Common warts occur more often in children and young adults. You may also get warts if you touch someone else's wart. Warts may also form if you scratch or suck on your fingers after they have been exposed to the HPV germ. You can also get a wart if you touch warm, moist areas with the germ, such as group showers.

What are the signs and symptoms of a common wart?

Common warts may form anywhere on your body, but are most common on your hands, knees, feet, nails, and elbows. You may also have any of the following:

• A raised, rounded, tan or skin-colored growth that looks like a callus (dry patch of skin)
  
  
• The normal lines in your skin to disappear because of the wart
  
  
• Black dots in the center of your wart, or bleeding if it is scratched or scraped
  
  
• Tenderness around your wart

How is a common wart diagnosed?

Your caregiver may know you have a common wart when he examines the area. Rarely, caregivers do a biopsy, which means they take a sample of your skin to test for the cause of the growth.

How is a common wart treated?

Your caregiver may treat your wart in several ways, based on the size, location, and number of warts you have. Some warts go away on their own, within 6 months to 5 years, or sooner with treatment. Some warts return after treatment. It may be hard to get rid of warts if your body cannot fight infections well. Ask your caregiver about these and other treatments he may suggest:

• Home treatments: You may need to do the following treatments for a period of 2 to 12 weeks to treat your wart:
  
  
  • Salicylic acid: This is an over-the-counter peeling agent that may help you shed your wart. Soak the wart in warm water for up to 20 minutes. Apply a small amount of salicylic acid directly to your wart. Avoid touching other skin areas with it, because you may irritate healthy skin. Let it dry, and cover the wart as directed. It is best to do this at bedtime. When you wake, use a pumice stone (a rough stone) or nail file to gently remove dead skin. Repeat as directed.
    
    
  • Liquid nitrogen: This is used to freeze your wart. Liquid nitrogen is available over-the-counter but may also be applied at your caregiver's office. Liquid nitrogen may cause mild pain for a short time. Use only as directed.
    
    
  • Duct tape: This can help dry and remove the wart. You may be directed to leave the duct tape on for 6 days. On day 7, take the tape off and soak the wart in warm water for 5 minutes. Gently scrape the wart with a pumice stone or nail file. Then apply a new piece of duct tape and follow the same steps until the wart is gone.
    
    
  • Topical creams: Your caregiver may order topical creams to help shrink your warts. Use these creams as directed.
  
  
• Injections: Your caregiver may inject medicine directly into the wart. These injections (shots) may help kill the virus that is causing the wart.

When should I contact my caregiver?

Contact your caregiver if:

• Your wart returns or does not go away after treatment.
  
  
• Your wart grows larger, or begins to spread or cluster.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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