Warts are one of the most common skin conditions in both children and adults. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), of which there are more than 150 different types, and they spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. While warts are not dangerous, they can be persistent, uncomfortable, and cosmetically bothersome. They can also spread to other areas of the body or to other people if left untreated.
At Vitality Family Health in Oak Brook, IL, we provide in-office wart removal for children and adults using safe, effective methods. Whether you are dealing with a single wart or a stubborn cluster that has resisted over-the-counter treatments, our providers evaluate the wart, determine the best treatment approach, and help you get clear skin with as little discomfort as possible. For patients who experience recurrent warts, we also consider the bigger picture, including immune health and nutritional factors, that may be contributing to the problem.
Warts are noncancerous skin growths caused by infection with specific strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters the skin through tiny cuts, breaks, or areas of friction and triggers rapid growth of cells in the outer layer of skin, producing the characteristic raised, rough-textured bump. Warts can appear on virtually any part of the body, though they are most commonly found on the hands, fingers, feet, and face.
HPV is extremely common, and most people will develop at least one wart at some point in their lives. Children, adolescents, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible. The virus spreads through casual contact, including handshakes, shared surfaces (gym floors, pool decks, shared towels), and self-inoculation (touching a wart and then touching another area of skin). Warts can take weeks to months to develop after exposure, which means you may not know exactly when or where you picked up the virus.
Common warts are the most frequently encountered type. They appear as rough, raised, rounded bumps with a cauliflower-like texture, most often on the fingers, backs of the hands, and around the nails. They are flesh-colored, gray, or slightly brown and may have tiny black dots (thrombosed capillaries) visible on the surface. Common warts are generally painless unless they are in a location where they are subject to repeated pressure or friction.
Plantar warts develop on the soles of the feet, often on weight-bearing areas such as the heels and balls of the feet. Because of the pressure from standing and walking, plantar warts tend to grow inward rather than outward, forming a hard, flat lesion with a rough surface that can feel like a pebble in your shoe. Plantar warts can be quite painful, especially during walking or standing, and they sometimes develop in clusters (known as mosaic warts). They are commonly acquired from walking barefoot on contaminated surfaces like pool decks, locker rooms, and communal showers.
Flat warts are smaller and smoother than common warts. They appear as slightly raised, flat-topped bumps that are flesh-colored, pink, or light brown. Flat warts often appear in clusters, sometimes dozens at a time, and are most commonly found on the face, forehead, and legs. In children, they frequently appear on the face. In adults, flat warts are often found in areas that are shaved regularly (face in men, legs in women), where the razor can spread the virus across the skin.
These warts develop around and under the fingernails and toenails. They can be particularly problematic because they may distort the nail shape, cause pain, and create an entry point for secondary fungal infections of the nail bed. If left untreated, periungual and subungual warts can cause permanent nail damage. Professional removal is strongly recommended for warts in this location, as over-the-counter treatments are generally ineffective and can injure the surrounding nail.
Filiform warts are long, narrow, thread-like projections that typically appear on the face, especially around the eyes, nose, mouth, and chin. They grow quickly and, while painless, are often cosmetically concerning because of their prominent location. Filiform warts respond well to professional removal.
Have you or your child been dealing with a wart that will not go away no matter what you try from the drugstore?
Is a plantar wart making it painful to walk or stand?
Are warts spreading to new areas of your body or to other family members?
Do you have a wart near a fingernail or toenail that seems to be getting worse?
Are you embarrassed by a visible wart on your face or hands and ready to have it professionally removed?
Cryotherapy involves applying liquid nitrogen to the wart, freezing the tissue and causing it to blister and eventually fall off. This is one of the most widely used and effective methods for wart removal. The procedure is quick, typically taking only a few seconds per wart. There may be a brief stinging or burning sensation during application. A blister usually forms within a day or two, and the dead tissue separates over the following one to two weeks. Some warts, particularly larger or deeper ones, may require more than one treatment session spaced a few weeks apart.
For certain warts, especially flat warts or warts in sensitive areas, we may recommend or prescribe topical treatments that work by gradually breaking down the wart tissue over time. These include professional-strength salicylic acid preparations, which are significantly more effective than over-the-counter versions, as well as other prescription topical agents when appropriate. Topical treatments are often used in combination with in-office procedures for the best results.
Not every wart responds to the same treatment, and factors like the type, size, location, and number of warts, along with the patient’s age and pain tolerance, all influence which approach is best. We evaluate each wart individually and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your situation. For stubborn or recurrent warts, we may combine methods or adjust the approach over multiple visits to achieve clearance.
Warts can be frustratingly persistent. Even after successful removal, the underlying HPV virus can remain dormant in the surrounding skin and cause new warts to develop in the same area or nearby. Recurrence is common, particularly in patients with weakened or stressed immune systems.
As a functional medicine practice, we consider the bigger picture when warts are recurrent. A healthy immune system is your best defense against HPV, and factors like chronic stress, poor sleep, nutrient deficiencies (particularly zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin A), gut health problems, and overall immune suppression can all make it harder for your body to clear the virus. For patients who experience frequent or widespread warts, we may recommend evaluating immune function and nutritional status alongside the physical removal of the warts themselves.
In-office wart removal is a safe, routine procedure. After treatment, mild discomfort, redness, swelling, or blistering at the treatment site is normal and expected. We provide detailed aftercare instructions to support healing and minimize the risk of infection or scarring.
While most warts are harmless, certain skin growths can resemble warts but may be something different. You should have a skin growth evaluated by a provider if it changes color, bleeds without injury, grows rapidly, appears after age 50 (when new warts are less common), has an irregular shape or uneven coloring, or is painful without an obvious cause. These features do not necessarily indicate anything serious, but professional evaluation ensures the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
If you have diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, or compromised circulation, it is especially important to have warts on the feet treated by a medical professional rather than attempting home remedies, which can cause tissue damage or infection in these populations.
Over-the-counter wart removers can work for small, superficial warts, but they are often too weak to eliminate larger, deeper, or stubborn warts. They can also damage surrounding healthy skin if used improperly. Professional treatment is more effective, faster, and safer, especially for warts on the face, around nails, on the soles of the feet, or in children. A provider can also confirm that the growth is actually a wart and not something else that requires a different approach.
There may be brief discomfort during treatment, particularly with cryotherapy, where you may feel a stinging or burning sensation for a few seconds. Most patients tolerate the procedure well. For children or patients who are particularly sensitive, we take a gentle approach and discuss options to minimize discomfort. The brief discomfort of treatment is generally far less than the ongoing pain of a plantar wart or the frustration of a wart that will not resolve on its own.
It depends on the type, size, and location of the wart. Many warts resolve after one or two cryotherapy sessions. Larger, deeper, or more stubborn warts, particularly plantar warts, may require three or more sessions spaced a few weeks apart. Your provider will give you realistic expectations based on your specific situation and monitor progress at each visit.
Yes. Warts are caused by HPV and spread through direct skin contact or contact with contaminated surfaces. You can also spread warts to other parts of your own body by touching or picking at them. To reduce the risk of spreading, avoid picking or scratching warts, wash hands after touching a wart, do not share towels or personal items, and wear shoes or sandals in communal areas like pools, locker rooms, and gym showers.
Yes. Warts are extremely common in children and adolescents. We provide gentle, age-appropriate treatment for pediatric patients. Cryotherapy is the most common method we use for children, and while there is brief discomfort, most kids handle it very well. For younger or more anxious children, we discuss all options and take a patient, reassuring approach.
We provide detailed aftercare instructions at your visit. Generally, you should keep the treatment area clean and dry, avoid picking at any blisters that form, apply any recommended ointments or bandages, and watch for signs of infection (increasing redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage). Most treatment sites heal within one to two weeks. Follow-up visits are scheduled as needed to assess healing and determine whether additional treatment is required.
Yes. Recurrent warts are a signal that the immune system may need support in clearing the underlying HPV virus. In addition to removing the warts themselves, we can evaluate factors that may be affecting your immune response, including stress, sleep, nutrient status (zinc, vitamin D, vitamin A), and gut health. Addressing these root causes can significantly reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Wart removal is available to members of our practice. If you are not currently a member, we invite you to schedule a discovery consult to learn about our membership model and the full range of primary care services we provide.
The discovery consult is a brief, no-cost conversation where you can share your needs, ask questions, and find out whether Vitality Family Health is the right fit. If we are a good match, we will walk you through the next steps to become a member. There is no pressure and no obligation.
You may also want to read about Minor Wound Care and Dermabond, Hormonal Imbalances, Thyroid Imbalances, Gut Health, Heart Health, Prediabetes, and Our Approach, since wart removal is one of the many in-office procedures we provide as part of comprehensive primary care.
Medically Reviewed By: Dr Kori Feldman, M.D.
Vitality Family Health & Wellness Partners is located in Oak Brook, Illinois, and serves patients throughout the Greater Chicagoland Area and the entire state of Illinois. These areas include but are not limited to the downtown Chicago area, surrounding suburbs, central, northern, and southern Illinois, and southern Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana.