Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can come in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. Warts can appear anywhere on the body, but are often found on the feet, face, and hands. Most warts will not cause disease or other health problems. But sometimes, the wart will be painful (which is known as herpetic whitlow). Over time, warts will often go away on their own. To get rid of warts from fingers, you can use over-the-counter medications or doctor's care. You can also prevent warts from forming on your fingers by doing several things. In this article, we will only explain how to get rid of common warts on fingers, and not genital warts.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Over-the-counter Drugs
Step 1. Apply a salicylic acid plaster or gel
Salicylic acid is an over-the-counter drug that can remove warts and is available at drugstores or pharmacies. This medication can help dissolve the wart's proteins as well as any dead skin cells around it. Look for pads, gels, or drops that contain 17% salicylic acid or patches that contain 15% salicylic acid.
- You should use this product once a day for several weeks. For optimal results, soak your fingers in warm water for 10-20 minutes to soften the layer of skin on the wart. Next, scrape the dead skin cells on the wart and its surroundings with a file or pumice stone. After removing the dead skin cells on the wart, apply a bandage, gel, or salicylic acid patch over it.
- Use a file or a pumice stone to scrape off any dead skin cells on and around the wart between treatments. Don't share files or pumice stones with other people, and throw them away once the wart has cleared.
- You may have to use salicylic acid for 12 weeks or more until the wart shrinks and goes away. If your warts become irritated, red, or painful, stop using salicylic acid and call your doctor.
Step 2. Use over-the-counter freezing medications
You can also use a freezing medicine on the wart to get rid of it. These aerosol-based wart treatments can be purchased at local drugstores or pharmacies. This spray will freeze the wart at minus 57°C.
Keep in mind that the effect of this product will not be as good as the doctor's use of liquid nitrogen to treat warts. In addition, caution should be exercised when using this product as it is flammable and should not be used in the vicinity of fire or heat sources
Method 2 of 4: Using Medical Treatment
Step 1. Get a prescription for a chemical treatment from your doctor
Your doctor may recommend that you use a chemical treatment to kill the skin cells on the wart. These treatments usually contain chemicals such as formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and silver nitrate.
- Side effects of this chemical treatment include brown discoloration of the skin around the wart and burns.
- Your doctor may also recommend taking prescription medications that contain higher doses of salicylic acid. These drugs are capable of removing the lining of the warts and are often more effective when used in conjunction with freeze therapy or cryotherapy.
Step 2. Ask your doctor for cryotherapy
In this procedure, the doctor will apply liquid nitrogen to the wart, causing a blister on the underside and surrounding area. Dead skin cells can then be removed between 7-10 days after freezing. The drawback of this action is that it can trigger the immune system to fight the wart virus and must be done repeatedly until the wart is completely removed.
- A single cryotherapy session usually takes between 5 to 15 minutes and may be painful. If they are large enough, the wart on your hand may have to be frozen several times before it can be removed.
- Cryotherapy has several side effects, namely pain, blisters, and discoloration of the skin around the wart.
Step 3. Consider using a laser to remove warts
Your doctor may recommend a pulse-dye laser treatment to burn the tiny blood vessels inside the wart. That way, the infected tissue will die and the wart will peel off.
Just remember that the effectiveness of this treatment is limited. In addition, this treatment can also cause pain and scarring around the wart area
Method 3 of 4: Using Home Treatments (Unproven)
Step 1. Try using duct tape
The effectiveness of these treatments for removing warts varies in studies. There are many doctors who believe that using duct tape is no more effective than a placebo and less effective at removing warts. On the other hand, there is also some evidence that the use of duct tape is successful in treating warts.
- You can use this method by applying duct tape or electrical tape to the wart for 6 days. After that, soak the wart in water while gently scraping off the dead skin cells on the wart and its surroundings with a pumice stone or file.
- Next, leave the wart exposed to air for 12 hours and repeat the above process again until the wart is gone.
Step 2. Use raw garlic
In this treatment, garlic's caustic effect is thought to cause warts to blister and peel off. However, keep in mind that these treatments are not medically proven and may not be as effective as medical treatments for warts.
- Puree two cloves of garlic with a pestle and mortar until it forms a paste. Apply the garlic paste on the wart then cover it with a bandage so that it stays attached.
- Reapply fresh garlic on the wart once a day. Just try not to put the garlic on the healthy layer of skin around the wart. To do this, apply petroleum jelly to the area around the wart so that the garlic paste doesn't stick to it.
Step 3. Soak the wart in apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar will not kill the HPV virus that causes warts. However, its high acidity can help exfoliate the skin layer on the wart. You may experience some pain and swelling of the wart after you start using apple cider vinegar, which should subside after a few days. Again, keep in mind that these treatments have not been medically proven to remove warts.
- Soak a cotton ball or two in 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Squeeze the cotton ball, but make sure it's still wet.
- Place a cotton ball on the wart and use a bandage or gauze to hold it in place. Leave the apple cider vinegar on the wart overnight. Repeat this treatment with a new cotton ball for 1-2 weeks. After a few days, the wart may appear to darken or turn black, indicating the effects of apple cider vinegar. Over time, the wart will eventually peel off on its own.
Step 4. Use basil leaves
Fresh basil leaves contain several antiviral compounds that can make warts disappear faster. However, be aware that these treatments have not been medically proven. So, be careful when using it.
- Puree 1/4 cup of fresh basil with your hands or a pestle and mortar until soft and moist. Rub the mashed basil on the wart and then place a clean bandage or cloth over it.
- Continue to use the basil leaves for 1 to 2 weeks until the wart is peeled off.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Warts on Fingers
Step 1. Do not squeeze the wart and avoid direct contact with the wart on other people
The virus that causes warts can be passed from one person to another if touched or squeezed. Leave the wart on your hand and avoid squeezing or scratching it.
Don't share a wart scraper or pumice stone with other people. Also, to avoid spreading the virus, only use the file or pumice stone on the wart, not on other parts of the body
Step 2. Get in the habit of keeping hands and nails clean
If possible, don't bite your fingernails. Skin that is damaged after being bitten is more prone to warts.
- Also avoid combing, shaving, or cutting warts as this can irritate them and spread the virus.
- Keep hands and nails clean. Always wash your hands after touching warts or objects shared with others, such as gym equipment or bus door knobs.
Step 3. Wear flip-flops around swimming pools and public bathrooms
To reduce your risk of transmitting or catching warts from others, be sure to always wear flip-flops in changing rooms and public areas such as swimming pools or public bathrooms.
