Can a wart be cured?

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    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    There is no cure for HPV (human papilloma virus) infection, so wart treatments can only eliminate signs and symptoms; recurrence is common, especially in people with weakened immune systems. The HPV vaccine may help some individuals resolve their warts, but the overall effectiveness of treatments for preventing recurrence is limited.

    Because there is no cure for HPV infection,[1] wart therapies can only eliminate signs and symptoms.[2] However, the HPV vaccine may be of some benefit, which is reflected in various case reports where individuals receiving the vaccine also resolved their warts. Although numerous wart treatments exist, their effectiveness at preventing wart recurrence is generally not great. Recurrence is common, especially when preventative measures are not followed and in people with weakened immune systems.[3][4]