Common skin and plantar (foot) warts are harmless growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and most go away on their own — usually within about two years (often faster in children) — without any treatment. When people do treat them, it is usually for comfort, appearance, or to limit spread, not because they are dangerous. The main self-care approaches are over-the-counter salicylic acid (the only active ingredient the FDA recognizes for OTC wart removers) and home freezing kits, with a doctor stepping in for warts that are stubborn, painful, on the face, or genital. Be realistic: no treatment works every time. The NHS notes that wart treatments do not always work and warts can come back.
Available without a prescription — follow each label.
Salicylic acid (topical) Compound W, Dr. Scholl's, Duofilm Keratolytic (skin-peeling agent) | The only active ingredient FDA recognizes as safe and effective in OTC wart removers, sold as liquids/gels (collodion), pads, and plasters for common warts on the hands and plantar warts on the soles of the feet. Soak and file the wart, then apply daily; the NHS notes pharmacy wart treatments can take up to 3 months and do not always work. Per the Drug Facts label, do NOT use on the face, on moles, birthmarks, warts with hair, or genital warts, and people with diabetes or poor circulation should ask a doctor first. |
Cryotherapy / freezing kits (dimethyl ether–propane) Compound W Freeze Off, Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away Topical cryogen (home freezing) | Cold-spray kits that freeze the wart at home, an alternative to salicylic acid for common and plantar warts. The NHS describes pharmacy sprays as an option but cautions they may irritate the skin and do not always work, and they should not be used on the face. Follow the label exactly; not for use on the face, genitals, moles, or by people with diabetes or poor circulation without medical advice. |
Plantar wart cushions / pads Dr. Scholl's Protective foot cushion (non-drug device) | Not a medicine and won't remove the wart, but MedlinePlus notes these drugstore foot cushions can ease the pain of plantar warts on the soles of the feet. Useful for comfort while a wart resolves on its own or while you treat it with salicylic acid. |
A doctor may prescribe these — not for self-treatment.
Clinic cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) In-office freezing procedure | Performed by a GP or dermatologist, not a home product — liquid nitrogen is colder than OTC kits and is usually repeated every few weeks. The NHS notes a GP may be able to freeze a wart so it falls off a few weeks later; it can take several sessions, may be painful, and does not always work, so it is a clinician decision, not a self-start treatment. Plantar warts in particular can be hard to clear. |
Cantharidin (blistering agent) Topical vesicant, clinician-applied | A blistering solution applied in the office by a healthcare provider to lift the wart off; MedlinePlus lists blistering solutions among provider treatments. It is not sold over the counter and must be applied and dosed by a clinician. |
Topical immune-response modifier (prescription) | A prescription cream a doctor may prescribe to prompt the immune system to help clear warts, especially genital warts. Requires a diagnosis and prescription — never self-start it, and do not use OTC products on genital warts. |
Immunotherapy (e.g., intralesional injection / antigen) Immune-stimulating treatment, specialist-administered | MedlinePlus describes giving a shot of a substance that causes an allergic reaction to help the body fight resistant warts. Reserved for stubborn or widespread warts and given by a clinician. |
Start by deciding whether to treat at all: because most warts clear on their own within about two years (faster in children), watchful waiting is reasonable for painless warts that don't bother you. If you want to treat a common hand wart or a plantar wart, OTC salicylic acid is the usual first choice — soak and file the wart, apply daily, and be patient, as the NHS notes pharmacy treatments can take up to 3 months and do not always work. Home freezing kits are an alternative but can irritate skin and are not clearly better. Use OTC products only on the hands and feet: never on the face, genitals, moles, or birthmarks, and skip self-treatment entirely if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Practical self-care to limit spread: don't pick or bite at warts, cover them, change socks daily and keep feet dry, wear something on your feet in communal showers and pools, and don't share towels or files. Be realistic about results — wart treatments do not reliably work for everyone, plantar warts can be especially hard to clear, and a wart that returns is common, not a failure on your part. Move to a doctor when home treatment hasn't worked after about 12 weeks, or sooner for the red flags below.
See a doctor rather than self-treating if a wart is on your face or genitals/anal area, is very large or painful, bleeds, keeps coming back, or changes in color, shape, or appearance — any changing skin growth should be checked to be sure it is a wart and not something else. Don't use OTC wart removers if you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a weakened immune system (for example HIV); see a provider instead, because wounds on the feet can become serious. Seek prompt care for signs of infection (spreading redness, warmth, pus, or fever) or bleeding that won't stop. Genital or anal warts should always be evaluated at a doctor's office or sexual health clinic, since the CDC notes they can go away with treatment from a provider or prescription medicine and can signal an HPV infection that needs proper assessment. If you're unsure whether a growth is even a wart, get it looked at before applying any acid or freezing product.
General reference, not medical advice, and not a substitute for your doctor or pharmacist. The right choice depends on your symptoms, health conditions, age, and other medicines — always read each label and confirm before taking anything.
Surgical / laser / electrocautery removal Procedural removal (specialist) |
| For warts that resist other treatments, a specialist may remove them by minor surgery, laser, or burning (electrocautery), per the NHS and MedlinePlus. These are office or hospital procedures decided and performed by a clinician, not something to attempt at home. |
Prescribed treatment for genital warts Clinician-directed (medicines or procedures) | Genital and anal warts must be evaluated and treated by a healthcare provider or sexual health clinic — the CDC states genital warts can go away with treatment from a provider or prescription medicine. OTC salicylic acid and freezing kits are explicitly NOT for genital warts; a diagnosis is needed to rule out other conditions. |