Warts (verruca vulgaris)
EBM Guidelines
Mar 29, 2022 • Latest change Dec 18, 2023
Table of contents
Extract
- All wart treatments are based on stimulating the immune response against papilloma viruses and on the destruction of the visible wart tissue.
- Conservative treatment or waiting for spontaneous recovery gives the best cosmetic results.
- Warts are benign lesions and often disappear with no treatment; scar forming procedures, such as surgery, should therefore be avoided.
Linked evidence summaries
- Topical treatments containing salicylic acid are effective for cutaneous warts. Evidence on other forms of treatment is limited.A
- Intensive cryotherapy may be effective for clearance of warts.C
Search terms
B07*, Cryotherapy, Dermatology, Electrocoagulation, Infectious diseases, L82, Laser Surgery, Warts, carbon dioxide laser, plantar wart, verruca plana, wart of the nail margin