Warts are small growths on the skin caused by some types of human papillomavirus. They can appear on the hands, fingers, feet, knees or other parts of the body and can feel rough, raised, hard or grainy.
We offer private assessment and treatment for warts. Your clinician will examine the lesion closely, confirm if it looks like a wart and advise on the best treatment option.
Not all warts are created equal. Some are rough and raised, some are flatter or form on pressure areas like the soles of the feet. A wart on the foot is often called a verruca and can be uncomfortable to walk on.
Some warts are painless, but others can be sore, irritating or embarrassing. They may also spread to surrounding skin if scratched, picked or repeatedly irritated.
It is important to make sure that the lesion has been correctly diagnosed before treating a wart. Some corns, calluses, moles, keratoses and other skin lesions can look alike at times.
Your clinician will consider the size, surface, location, symptoms and history of the lesion. If the lesion looks abnormal, is changing, bleeds for no apparent reason, or is in a sensitive area, further evaluation may be recommended before treatment.
Many warts will go away on their own, but some stick around, spread or become painful. Treatment may be considered if the wart is painful, visible, troublesome or interferes with daily activities. You might want to make an appointment if your wart is:
Your clinician will advise you if treatment is appropriate or if monitoring may be sufficient.
The most effective treatment depends on the type, size, number and location of the wart. Some warts can be effectively treated with topical medication, while others may need a procedure in the clinic.
Depending on the wart and the service available, your clinician may discuss options such as cryotherapy, minor removal, cautery or other appropriate treatment. The aim is to treat the wart safely and to spare as much of the surrounding skin as possible.
Your appointment will start with a consultation and skin assessment. The clinician will ask how long the wart has been present, if it has spread, if it is painful and what treatments you have already tried.
If treatment is appropriate, the area will be prepped and treated. Depending on the method, some treatments may feel cold, sharp, hot or briefly uncomfortable, however your clinician will discuss what to expect before they start.
Verrucas can be more difficult to treat because they grow on weightbearing skin. They can feel like a small stone under the foot and can become painful when standing, walking or exercising.
Your clinician will identify whether the lesion is a verruca or another foot condition such as a corn or callous. Treatment may be needed depending on how deep the lesion goes, how much hard skin is around it and whether you have any circulation, diabetes or wound-healing issues.
Depending on the method used, the area may be red, tender, blistered, crusted or scabbed after treatment of the wart. This can be part of normal healing. Aftercare might involve:
Warts are spread by direct contact or by touching surfaces that have been contaminated. Picking at, scratching and sharing towels can lower the risk of the virus spreading to other skin areas or other people.
If you have a verruca, wearing flip-flops in communal changing areas and covering the lesion when necessary may also help reduce spread.
Some warts may need to be checked by a specialist, especially if they are on the face, near the nails, very large, persistent, recurrent or difficult to diagnose. Genital warts should be referred to a sexual health service for management.
Your clinician will be honest with you about whether treatment can be done safely in clinic or if referral is the better option.
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