See a clinician for diagnosis (especially if growths are painful, bleeding, spreading, changing color/shape, or appear on the face/genitals)
Use over-the-counter salicylic acid wart treatments as directed on the label
Soak the wart in warm water, gently file the surface with an emery board, then apply salicylic acid
Cover with a bandage or tape between treatments
Repeat daily (or as directed) for several weeks until the wart clears
Try cryotherapy with a clinician if OTC treatment isn’t working or if the wart is bothersome
Consider prescription treatments (e.g., stronger topical agents) via a clinician
Ask about office procedures for persistent warts (e.g., curettage, electrocautery, laser)
Avoid picking or shaving warts to reduce spread and irritation
Keep the area clean and dry; change bandages regularly
Don’t share towels, razors, nail files, or pumice stones
Wear footwear in shared wet areas (pools/locker rooms) to reduce spread of foot warts
Cover warts with a bandage/tape in public settings to reduce transmission
For genital warts, seek care promptly and avoid OTC wart products not meant for that area