Warts are common skin growths caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters the skin through small cuts or abrasions. These growths appear as rough, grainy bumps and are clusters of virus-infected skin cells. While many people seek quick removal, you should never attempt to cut a wart off with scissors or any other sharp object. Self-removal is highly dangerous and ineffective, potentially turning a minor nuisance into a serious medical problem.
Immediate Risks of Self-Removal
Cutting a wart creates an open wound, introducing a high risk of bacterial infection. Non-sterile instruments used at home can push bacteria deep into the exposed tissue. This often leads to significant pain, swelling, and the need for medical intervention.
Warts are supplied by tiny blood vessels, often visible as small black dots. Cutting into the wart will likely cause significant bleeding that is difficult to control at home. Furthermore, incomplete removal is common because wart tissue often extends deeper into the skin layers than it appears, meaning the viral infection remains.
The greatest danger of cutting a wart is spreading the HPV virus to other areas of the body, a process called autoinoculation. The act of cutting releases viral particles onto the surrounding skin and the instrument itself. This can result in a cluster of new warts appearing near the original site. Cutting too deeply also risks damaging the dermis, which can result in permanent scarring.
Safe Over-the-Counter Options
For mild cases, the safest at-home treatment involves using products containing salicylic acid. This keratolytic agent works by gradually dissolving the protein that makes up the wart and the surrounding thickened skin. The acid slowly causes the infected layers of skin to peel away, which can take several weeks or months of consistent daily application.
Salicylic acid is available over-the-counter in various concentrations, ranging from 17% in liquid form to 40% in medicated pads for thicker warts. Consistent application is important, often requiring the wart to be soaked and filed before treatment to help the acid penetrate. The irritation caused by the acid may also help stimulate a localized immune response against the virus.
Another available home option is an over-the-counter cryotherapy kit, which freezes the wart tissue. These kits use a mixture of dimethyl ether and propane to achieve a cold temperature, forming a blister underneath the wart. The blister lifts the dead tissue, causing the wart to fall off within about a week or two. While not as potent as the liquid nitrogen used by a doctor, these methods offer a practical alternative for faster removal than salicylic acid.
When Professional Removal is Necessary
You should seek professional medical attention if a wart is painful, rapidly multiplying, or shows no improvement after several months of home treatment. Warts located on sensitive areas, such as the face, genitals, or near the nails, also require a doctor’s care due to the risk of scarring and complications. A medical professional can also ensure the growth is actually a wart, as other skin conditions can look similar.
Patients with diabetes or a compromised immune system should always consult a doctor before attempting any wart removal. For stubborn or extensive warts, a dermatologist offers stronger treatments. These include in-office cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, which reaches a much colder temperature than home kits. Other professional methods include prescription-strength peeling agents, surgical excision, or laser treatment targeting the blood vessels supplying the wart.