This image displays a large wart on the thumb. This image displays the area of a healed wart. This child has two warts: one near the left nostril and another doughnut-shaped one above the upper lip. The scratch above the wart on the lip could be the entry point for the infection. The color of common warts can vary depending upon the skin tone of the person on which they occur. Warts often have a rough, multi-pointed surface, like this wart near the eye. This image displays the thick and rough surface typical of a wart. This image displays the "black dots" typical of warts, which are clotted, fine blood vessels in the skin. In children whose immune systems have not yet recognized the wart infection, lesions may be numerous and even form around and under the nails. Multiple warts are seen at the left mouth angle as well as on the chin. This image displays a wart on a finger.
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Common Wart:
A parent's guide to condition and treatment information

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Picture of Common Wart: This image displays a large wart on the thumb. Divider line
This image displays a large wart on the thumb.
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Self-Care Guidelines
Because warts can resolve on their own, it is not necessary to treat all warts. Additionally, treatment of warts may not always destroy them, nor will it necessarily keep other warts from appearing. Treatment can be painful and cause scars and might need to be repeated, so it should only be done in cases where the warts are highly bothersome or interfere with daily life.
  • Over-the-counter wart removers have a high percentage of salicylic acid and work by dissolving away the layer of skin infected with the virus. This treatment needs to be used daily and can sometimes be irritating if it touches unaffected skin around the wart.
  • Duct tape applied daily to the affected area seems to work for unknown reasons. The tape should be very sticky and kept on for a few days. Some children may have a reaction to the adhesive on the tape.
  • Over-the-counter freezing medications are available but have not been found to be very effective.
  • Coupled with the above therapies, the wart should be soaked in warm water, and any loose skin should be removed every few days with a mild abrasive, like a pumice stone.
  • Family members should avoid sharing personal items such as towels.
When to Seek Medical Care
Call your child's doctor or a dermatologist if he or she has the following:
  • Painful or bleeding warts.
  • Warts on the face or warts interfering with daily life that do not improve with self-care.
  • Diabetes – warts of the feet should be treated by a physician.
Last Modified: 3 Mar 2008

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