Viral Warts – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

What are Viral Warts?

Viral Warts are areas of localised thickening of the skin, caused by HPV infecting the epidermis (the skin’s outer layer). The infection triggers excessive skin growth, resulting in a rough, raised lesion – the wart.

There are several types of viral warts, including:

• Common warts – rough-surfaced growths usually found on fingers, hands and knees.
• Plantar warts (verrucas) – hard, flattened warts on the soles of the feet.
• Flat warts – small, smooth, flat lesions found commonly on the face or legs.
• Filiform warts – thread-like projections near the mouth or eyes.
• Periungual warts – located around fingernails and toenails.

What Causes Viral Warts?

Viral warts result from HPV skin infection, usually transmitted through:

• Direct skin-to-skin contact.
• Indirect exposure to contaminated surfaces – e.g. communal showers, pool floors or facilities in gyms.

HPV skin infections are more prevalent in children and those with weakened immune systems. Adults are less frequently affected due to immunity often developed in childhood.

How long do Viral Warts last?

Wart duration can vary widely:

• Most resolve within 9 to 18 months.
• Some can persist for several years, especially in individuals with immune suppression.

Can Viral Warts be cured?

It is important to consider that many types of viral warts resolve naturally over time without scarring. Treatments can take time, be painful and don’t always prevent recurrence.

However, while no wart removal treatment guarantees a permanent cure, at our viral warts dermatology centre we offer evidence-based options that can significantly reduce symptoms, speed up recovery and minimise the risk of further spread or complications.

Treatment Options for Viral Warts

We offer a comprehensive range of wart removal treatments for every type of viral wart, from common to more stubborn variants. Your dermatologist will recommend the best approach based on wart type, location and patient age.

Salicylic acid

• Often the first-line plantar warts treatment.
• Available over the counter.
• For best results:
  • Soak wart in warm water for 10 minutes.
  • Pare with a pumice stone or nail file.
  • Apply treatment daily for at least 12 weeks.

Cryotherapy (Freezing)

• Performed using liquid nitrogen.
• Often effective but can be painful and therefore not suitable for young children.
• Typically requires 3–6 sessions, every 3–4 weeks.
• Best administered in a clinical setting.

Zinc Sulphate Supplements

• May support immune response to HPV skin infection.
• Dose tailored to body weight.
• Generally taken for 12 weeks.

Duct Tape Occlusion Therapy 

• Low-cost, pain-free method that works by stripping the upper skin layers which host the virus.
• Ideal for children.
• Method:
  • Apply duct tape for 6 days
  • Remove, soak, and pare wart
  • Repeat cycle for 2–3 months

Surgical removal

Used for persistent, painful, or resistant warts:

• Curettage and cautery – scraping under local anaesthetic.
• Laser therapy – targeted wart destruction.

Other Treatments

Our viral warts dermatology centre may also recommend:

• Stronger acid preparations.
• Immunotherapy in select cases.

All treatments are personalised by your viral warts dermatology specialist depending on the type of viral wart, patient age, immune status and treatment history.

When to See a Dermatology Specialist

You should book an appointment with our viral warts dermatology clinic if:

• Warts are painful, spreading or interfering with daily activities.
• Over-the-counter remedies have been unsuccessful.
• You have diabetes, poor circulation or a suppressed immune system.
• You’re uncertain whether the lesion is a wart.
• The wart is affecting your confidence or appearance.

Book a Consultation

We offer personalised care at our viral warts dermatology clinic, where our specialists provide targeted wart removal treatments tailored to your skin type and lifestyle.

Book a consultation today with an experienced viral warts dermatology specialist and take the first step towards clear, healthy skin.