For new warts, watchful waiting may be recommended instead of treatment, as many warts resolve on their own.[1] Otherwise, the main medical treatments for warts are topical medications, which are applied directly to the wart. Salicylic acid is often the first line of treatment, since it can be acquired without a prescription and has a cure rate of 50-70%, although it usually takes several weeks of application to work.[2] Cryotherapy is another first-line topical treatment, in which liquid nitrogen is applied directly to the wart. In addition to destroying the HPV-infected wart cells, the tissue damage caused by topical therapies stimulates the immune system, which may play a role in the eventual clearing of not only the treated wart, but warts at other sites in the body.[3][2][4]
What are some of the main medical treatments for warts?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
For new warts, watchful waiting may be advised because many resolve on their own; the main medical treatments include topical medications like salicylic acid and cryotherapy. Salicylic acid is often the first-line treatment, with a 50% to 70% cure rate, and cryotherapy involves applying liquid nitrogen to destroy wart cells and stimulate the immune system.