Warts are common, benign skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters the skin, often through small cuts, triggering the rapid growth of skin cells that results in the rough, raised texture of a wart. Since warts are contagious and can spread, many people seek methods for their physical destruction, often termed “burning.” While the immune system can eventually clear the infection, treatments exist to speed up the process by physically removing or destroying the infected tissue.
Clinical Wart Destruction Techniques
Professional removal methods offered by dermatologists involve physically destroying the wart tissue using heat, cold, or focused light energy. These procedures are typically reserved for large, persistent, or hard-to-treat warts that have not responded to over-the-counter options. Electrosurgery or electrocautery is the most literal form of “burning,” using a fine-tipped, electrically heated probe. This heat energy precisely destroys the wart tissue and simultaneously seals blood vessels, minimizing bleeding.
Electrocautery is frequently paired with curettage, where the destroyed tissue is scraped away using a small, spoon-shaped instrument. A local anesthetic is administered before the procedure. Complete healing usually takes two to four weeks, with a protective scab forming in the first week. Cryotherapy is another widely used clinical method, involving applying liquid nitrogen to the wart for 10 to 30 seconds. This extreme cold freezes the cells, leading to tissue destruction and the formation of a blister.
The blister resolves within a few days, and the wart tissue eventually scabs and falls off, with full healing occurring within one to two weeks. Most warts require one to four cryotherapy treatments, spaced one to three weeks apart, to be fully cleared. Laser ablation employs an intense beam of focused light energy to destroy the wart. The pulsed dye laser targets and destroys the tiny blood vessels feeding the wart, causing the tissue to die.
Recovery time after laser treatment varies by size and location, but the treated area may feel painful for a few days. Laser removal is often considered when less expensive treatments have failed or for warts in difficult-to-treat areas. Full recovery can take a few weeks, sometimes extending to four to six weeks for sensitive areas.
Over-the-Counter Chemical Treatments
The most accessible self-treatment method is chemical destruction using products containing salicylic acid. This compound acts as a keratolytic agent, meaning it works by dissolving the protein connections that bind the hardened skin cells of the wart. The acid causes the wart to peel away layer by layer while stimulating a mild inflammatory response that may help the immune system recognize the underlying HPV infection.
Application Steps
Salicylic acid products are available in various forms, including liquids, gels, and adhesive patches, with concentrations generally ranging from 17% up to 40%. For optimal effectiveness, the area should first be soaked in warm water for about five minutes to soften the wart tissue. The surface of the wart should then be gently filed or scraped with a pumice stone or emery board to remove dead, thick layers of skin, allowing the medication to penetrate deeper.
The salicylic acid product is applied directly to the wart, taking care to avoid the surrounding healthy skin to prevent irritation. Covering the wart with a bandage after application, a technique called occlusion, can enhance the absorption and effectiveness of the acid. This process requires consistency, with daily application over several weeks to months, and most users see results within four to twelve weeks.
While chemical peeling is the primary at-home method, over-the-counter freezing kits are available as an analogue to clinical cryotherapy. These kits use refrigerants that are significantly less cold than the liquid nitrogen used by dermatologists. Due to the lower temperature, these kits are less effective than professional freezing but may work for smaller, common warts.
When Self-Treatment Is Unsafe
While many common warts can be treated at home, certain conditions and locations require professional consultation. Individuals with pre-existing health conditions that compromise circulation, such as diabetes, should avoid using over-the-counter wart removers. Even minor cuts or chemical irritation in these patients can lead to slow-healing wounds or nerve damage, especially on the feet, posing a significant risk of infection.
Warts located on sensitive or delicate areas, including the face, genitals, or near mucous membranes, should never be treated at home. The aggressive nature of chemical or freezing treatments can cause severe irritation, scarring, or permanent skin discoloration. Furthermore, any lesion that bleeds, changes color, or appears unusual should be examined by a healthcare provider before attempting self-removal.
Self-treatment is contraindicated if there is uncertainty about the diagnosis, as many serious skin conditions can mimic a common wart. Signs of a complication during at-home treatment signal a potential infection. These include excessive pain, significant swelling, redness that spreads, or the presence of pus. If these symptoms occur, or if the wart rapidly spreads, discontinue the at-home method and seek immediate medical attention.