See a clinician or dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment options
Avoid picking, cutting, or shaving warts
Keep the area clean and dry
Cover warts with a bandage or tape to reduce spread
Use over-the-counter salicylic acid wart removers as directed
Soak the wart in warm water, gently file dead skin with a disposable emery board, then apply treatment
Repeat consistently for several weeks as directed on the product label
Consider cryotherapy (freezing) by a clinician if OTC treatment fails
Ask about prescription topical treatments (e.g., stronger salicylic acid formulations, imiquimod, other wart-directed therapies)
Consider cantharidin if offered by a clinician
Ask about immunotherapy options (e.g., intralesional treatments) for persistent warts
Consider laser or surgical removal for select cases
For genital warts, use clinician-guided treatments only; do not use OTC wart removers
Seek urgent care if the wart is painful, rapidly changing, bleeding, infected, or in/near sensitive areas (face, genitals, eyes)
Avoid sharing towels, razors, or nail clippers; wash hands after touching warts
Discard or avoid reusing emery boards used on warts
If warts persist after treatment, schedule follow-up for reassessment and alternative therapy