Warts (Massay): Types, Treatment and What Not to Do

A rough, raised bump on a finger, a cluster of small growths around a nail, or a painful spot on the sole of the foot that feels like a stone in your shoe. Warts (massay) are very common, especially in children and teenagers. They are harmless in most cases, but they can be annoying, painful and stubborn.

This guide explains what warts are, the different types, which treatments are available, what not to do, and when you should see a doctor, especially for warts in the genital area.

What causes warts?

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the top layer of the skin. Dozens of HPV types exist, and different types cause warts in different places. The virus spreads through direct skin contact and through damp surfaces such as shower floors and swimming pool edges. A small cut or scratch makes it easier to catch. A wart may take weeks or months to appear after infection.

Types of warts

• Common warts: rough, raised, grey-brown bumps, usually on the fingers, hands, knees and elbows.
• Plantar warts (verrucas): on the soles of the feet. Pressure pushes them inward, so they feel like a painful pebble, and they often have tiny black dots.
• Flat warts: small, smooth, slightly raised spots in groups, often on the face, neck or hands, and more common in children and teenagers.
• Filiform warts: thread-like growths, usually on the face, eyelids or neck.
• Genital warts: soft growths in the genital or anal area, spread through intimate contact. These need a doctor, not home treatment.

Do warts go away by themselves?

Often yes. In healthy children, many warts clear within a year or two, as the immune system learns to deal with the virus. In adults, or in people with weak immunity, they can last longer and are more likely to come back. Treatment can speed things up, but it needs patience, usually weeks to months.

Treatment options

Salicylic acid

This is the most common home treatment for common and plantar warts. It slowly peels away the infected skin layer by layer. Products such as Salicylic Acid Ointment are applied directly to the wart and not to the healthy skin around it. Soaking the wart in warm water and gently filing away dead skin before each application helps it work. Use a separate file or pumice stone just for the wart, and expect to continue for several weeks. Do not use it on the face, on moles, or on skin that is broken or infected, and take extra care if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

Podophyllum preparations

Podophylline Paint and Podophylline Cream are used for certain warts, mainly genital warts, and they are strong chemicals. They should only be used on a doctor’s advice and instructions. They must not be used in pregnancy, on broken skin, or on large areas.

Treatments done at a clinic

• Freezing (cryotherapy) with liquid nitrogen is the standard clinic treatment and often needs several sessions.
• Electrocautery or curettage to remove a wart.
• Laser or immune-stimulating treatments for stubborn warts.

Browse the skin conditions section and our dispensing range for more products.

What not to do

• Do not pick, scratch or bite warts. It spreads the virus to other places.
• Do not cut warts with a blade or scissors. This causes bleeding and infection.
• Do not use thread, nail polish or unproven chemicals.
• Do not use wart treatments on genital warts unless a doctor says so.
• Do not share towels, socks or nail clippers.

How to avoid spreading warts

• Cover warts with a plaster, especially when swimming or in a shared bathroom.
• Wear flip-flops in public showers and changing rooms.
• Wash your hands after touching a wart.
• Keep feet dry, and change socks daily.
• Do not shave over a wart.

Genital warts and HPV

Genital warts are caused by certain HPV types and spread through intimate contact. They are not a sign of poor hygiene, but they need medical care. Some other HPV types can cause cervical cancer, so women should talk to their doctor about screening and the HPV vaccine. Avoid using over-the-counter wart treatments on these areas.

When to see a doctor

• You are not sure it is a wart. Some skin cancers and moles can look similar.
• A wart bleeds, changes colour or shape, or hurts a lot.
• Warts are on the face, genitals, anus or inside the mouth.
• You have diabetes, a weak immune system or poor circulation.
• There are many warts, or they are spreading.
• Warts do not improve after twelve weeks of treatment.
• The wart looks infected, with redness, warmth, swelling or pus.

For skin problems on the feet, see our guide to cracked heels.

Frequently asked questions

Are warts contagious?

Yes, but only mildly. They spread through direct contact or shared damp surfaces. Many people exposed to the virus never get warts.

Do warts have roots?

No. They are skin growths, not plants. The black dots are tiny clotted blood vessels.

Why do warts come back?

The virus can remain in the skin around a treated wart, and a new wart can appear if the immune system has not cleared it.

Is it safe to treat warts at home?

Salicylic acid for common warts on hands and feet is usually safe if used as directed. For anything else, see a doctor.

Order skin care and wart treatments from Khasmart, with delivery across Pakistan.

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or dermatologist. It does not include dosage or strengths to use; always follow the directions on the pack or from your doctor.