Warts

Tired of a Wart That Keeps Coming Back?

You have tried the freeze kits, the salicylic acid pads, maybe even the duct tape trick your neighbor swears by. The wart shrinks for a while, then returns. Or it spreads, and now there are three where there used to be one.

Warts are one of the most common reasons families in the Treasure Valley visit Treasure Valley Dermatology, and one of the most frustrating to treat at home. The good news is that a dermatologist has access to stronger, more targeted treatments than anything sold over the counter, and most warts respond well once the right approach is chosen for the wart type, the location, and the patient.

What Warts Are

Warts are small, rough growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) infecting the top layer of skin. They are contagious through direct contact and through shared surfaces like pool decks, locker rooms, and towels, which is part of why they spread so easily among kids and active adults.

• Common warts: Rough, raised bumps most often on the hands, fingers, and knees
• Plantar warts: Flat, sometimes painful warts on the soles of the feet that grow inward under pressure
• Flat warts: Small, smooth, slightly raised warts that often appear in clusters on the face, arms, or legs
• Filiform warts: Thread-like warts that tend to appear around the mouth, nose, or eyes
• Periungual warts: Warts around or under the fingernails and toenails that can affect nail growth
• Genital warts: Sexually transmitted warts that should always be evaluated and treated by a medical provider

What to Expect at Your Visit

• Evaluation: Your provider examines the growth to confirm it is a wart and not a corn, callus, skin tag, or something that needs a closer look
• Treatment plan: The approach depends on wart type, location, how long it has been present, and the patient's age and comfort level
• Treatment options may include: cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen freezing), prescription-strength topical medications, cantharidin (a painless blistering agent often used for children), shave removal, electrodesiccation, or injections for stubborn warts
• Visit length: Most wart treatments are quick, in-office procedures completed in 15 to 20 minutes
• Comfort: Most treatments are well-tolerated with minimal discomfort, and gentler options are chosen for young children
• Follow-up: Stubborn or large warts often need a series of treatments spaced a few weeks apart

What Results Typically Look Like

Many warts clear after one to three in-office treatments, though thicker plantar warts and long-standing warts can take longer. Because warts are viral, there is always a chance a new one appears, but treated warts do not usually return in the same spot once fully resolved.

• Small common warts often resolve after a single treatment
• Plantar and periungual warts typically need several sessions spaced two to four weeks apart
• Treated skin may blister, scab, or peel for a week or so before healing
• Your provider will explain how to protect the area and reduce the chance of spreading warts to other parts of the body or to family members

Who Should See a Dermatologist for Warts

• Children and teens with warts on the hands, feet, knees, or face
• Adults with plantar warts that make walking, running, or hiking uncomfortable
• Anyone whose warts have not responded to over-the-counter treatments after several weeks
• Patients with warts that are spreading, multiplying, or bleeding
• Anyone with a wart near the nails, eyes, or mouth, where home treatment can cause damage
• Patients with a weakened immune system, who may have more persistent warts
• Anyone who is unsure whether a growth is actually a wart

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my over-the-counter wart remover not work?

Over-the-counter freezing kits and acid pads are much weaker than what a dermatologist uses in the office, and they often cannot reach deep enough, especially for plantar warts. In-office cryotherapy, prescription topicals, and other treatments are stronger and more precisely applied, which is why they tend to work when home remedies have not.

Does wart removal hurt?

Most treatments are well-tolerated. Cryotherapy feels like a brief sting or burn that fades within minutes. For young children, we often use cantharidin, a painless liquid that causes a blister under the wart so it lifts away on its own.

How many treatments will my child need?

It depends on the size, number, and location of the warts. Many children see results after one to three visits spaced a few weeks apart. Your provider will give you a realistic estimate after examining the warts in person.

Are warts contagious?

Yes. Warts spread through skin-to-skin contact and through shared surfaces. Covering warts, avoiding picking at them, and not sharing towels or shoes all help limit spread while they are being treated.

Can a wart be something more serious?

Occasionally a growth that looks like a wart is actually something else, including in rare cases a skin cancer. This is one reason an in-person evaluation by a board-certified dermatologist is worthwhile, particularly for a growth that is changing, bleeding, or not responding to treatment.

Why Treasure Valley Dermatology

Treasure Valley Dermatology is home to Dr. Dustin Portela, Dr. Kelsey Ferrell, and Dr. Ben Buttars, board-certified dermatologists who, along with our experienced physician assistants and nurse practitioner, treat warts in patients of every age. Patients may be seen by any of our providers.

• Full-family dermatology care, with gentle, kid-friendly treatment options
• Multiple treatment approaches available in-office so the plan fits the wart and the patient, not the other way around
• 700+ five-star reviews from patients who describe the team as "a breath of fresh air"
• Two convenient locations in Boise and Meridian serving Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell, Star, Kuna, and surrounding communities
• Providers who take the time to explain what to expect and how to keep warts from spreading

Ready to Get Rid of That Wart for Good?

Stop cycling through drugstore products that only work halfway. Schedule a visit at dermatologyboise.com/schedule-an-appointment and let our team take care of it at our Boise or Meridian location.