Warts: Dermatologists’ tips for at-home treatment
How to get rid of a wart at home: Dermatologist tips
To heal warts more quickly and prevent new warts from developing, here’s what board-certified dermatologists recommend.
At-home treatment can be effective if you have one or a few small warts. Keep in mind that at-home treatment isn’t right for everyone. You should see a dermatologist if you have:
Warts on your face or genital area
A wart that is changing, hurts, itches, burns, or bleeds
Many warts
Doubts about whether you have a wart(s)
Tried at-home treatment and cannot get rid of the wart(s)
A weakened immune system (cancer, HIV, organ transplant)
3 at-home wart treatments that dermatologists recommend
To treat one or a few small warts at home, you can use:
Salicylic acid can slowly peel away the wart
This at-home treatment is safe for most people. However, talk with your dermatologist before using salicylic acid if you have any of the following conditions:
Neuropathy (numbness, burning, pain) in the area to be treated
Diabetes
Poor circulation
Where to find salicylic acid: You’ll find it in liquids, gels, pads, and tape sold to remove warts. Salicylic acid will be listed on the package of the wart treatment as an active ingredient.
Dermatologists’ tips for using salicylic acid to treat a wart: To get the best results, follow these dermatologists’ tips:
Soften the wart by soaking it in warm water for 5 minutes. You could also take a bath or shower.
Gently sand the wart with a disposable emery board or pumice stone, making sure that you don’t use either anywhere else on your body. If either tool touches another part of your body, you can spread the virus causing the wart.
Thoroughly dry the wart.
Apply the salicylic acid to your wart, carefully following the directions on the package.
For a more powerful treatment, cover the wart with duct tape.Repeat the above every day, except for sanding the wart, until the wart goes away. You can sand a wart every few days
How to tell when it’s time to stop treating a wart with salicylic acid: You want to stop treatment:
When the wart goes away.
You develop extremely sore or irritated skin. Stop for a few days until this goes away.
Some warts can be stubborn. If you cannot get rid of the wart, it’s time to see a board-certified dermatologist, who can help you clear the wart.
Possible side effects: While you’re treating the wart, the wart should look moist and pale. This is expected.
Salicylic acid can also cause pain, bleeding, or blisters. If you develop any of these side effects, stop using the product and see a board-certified dermatologist.
Duct tape may effectively treat a wart
The silver duct tape that you can buy at stores and online may be an effective at-home remedy for warts.
You use duct tape to cover the wart.
Though findings from studies conflict on whether this can effectively get rid of warts, one study conducted in 2002 found duct tape to be effective.
If you’re interested in seeing whether duct tape may work for you, follow these steps:
Cut a piece of silver duct tape, making sure the tape will completely cover the wart. If you have a wart on your finger, you can cut a piece large enough to wrap around your finger.
To increase the effectiveness of duct tape, you can apply a wart treatment that contains salicylic acid to the wart before covering it with duct tape. To apply the salicylic acid, follow the directions on the package.Apply the duct tape to the wart.
Remove and re-apply the duct tape every 5 or 6 days until the wart is gone. If the tape falls off, replace it as soon as possible.
How do you know when it’s time to stop treating a wart with duct tape: You want to stop treatment:
When the wart goes away.
You develop extremely sore or irritated skin.
Possible side effects: You may have problems keeping the tape on and develop minor skin irritation.
Freezing products can destroy a wart
When looking for a wart treatment that you can use at home, you may find products that freeze the wart.
Dermatologists also treat warts by freezing them with a treatment called cryosurgery. The at-home freezing products do not provide the same freezing treatment that you’d receive from a dermatologist. However, an at-home product may help you get rid of a small wart.
To get the best results, follow the instructions on the package.
How do you know when it’s time to stop treating a wart with at-home freezing: You want to stop treatment:
When the wart goes away.
You develop extremely sore or irritated skin, blistering, or other side effects.
Possible side effects: These include feeling pain, itching, or stinging when you apply the product.
How to avoid getting more warts while treating a wart
While treating a wart, it’s possible to spread the virus causing it to another part of your body or to another person. If the virus spreads, a new wart can develop.
To help patients avoid spreading the virus while treating warts, dermatologists recommend the following:
After you touch or treat a wart, immediately wash your hands.
Cover your warts with clothing or a bandage when not using a treatment like duct tape to cover them.
Avoid shaving a wart.
Do not pick or scratch at warts.
When you shave, you create microtears in your skin.
If you create microtears in a wart, you can spread the virus from the wart to other skin you shave.
How to prevent new warts
By taking some precautions, you can prevent new warts. To find out what dermatologists recommend, go to 8 dermatologists’ tips for preventing warts.
Images
Getty Images
References
Abdel-Latif AA, El-Sherbiny AF, et al. “Silver duct tape occlusion in treatment of plantar warts in adults: Is it effective?” Dermatol Ther. 2020 May;33(3):e13342.
Goldstein BG, Goldstein AO, et al. (section editors: Dellavalle RP, Levy ML, et al.). “Cutaneous warts (common, plantar, and flat warts)” UpToDate. Last updated: January 2025. Last accessed March 27, 2025.
Written by:
Paula Ludmann, MS
Reviewed by:
Laurel Geraghty, MD, FAAD
Carrie L. Kovarik, MD, FAAD
William Warren Kwan, MD, FAAD
Morgan Murphrey, MD, FAAD
Sanna Ronkainen, MD, FAAD
Last updated: 5/8/2025