Methods for Eliminating Warts on Fingers: Domestic Remedies and Therapies
Finger warts, a common nuisance caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), can be treated at home or through professional medical procedures. In this article, we explore the various treatment options available, their efficacy, and precautions to consider.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as salicylic acid are a popular home treatment for finger warts. This keratolytic agent gradually breaks down the hard outer layer of the wart, making it easier to remove. Available in patches, gels, or liquids, salicylic acid is typically applied daily after softening the wart with warm water. The American Family Physician (AAFP) recommends a salicylic acid preparation containing 17% for treatment. However, patience and consistent use are essential, as it may take several weeks of regular treatment to see results.
Cryotherapy, an in-office procedure performed by a healthcare provider, offers a faster solution. This method involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen to destroy the wart tissue. Cryotherapy may be particularly recommended for stubborn or persistent warts that do not respond well to OTC treatments. While it may cause some discomfort and sometimes requires multiple visits for complete removal, it tends to produce quicker results than salicylic acid.
Comparatively, salicylic acid poses less risk of pain or side effects and is convenient for home use. However, it generally requires more time and adherence to treatment protocols. Cryotherapy, while faster, is more invasive and involves professional administration.
Other treatment options include photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid, a more expensive option that involves a 3-8 hour application of the acid and subsequent light treatment to cause the wart to destabilize and fall off. Scientists are yet to determine the effectiveness of this procedure for finger warts.
Imiquimod (Aldara) cream may be prescribed for treating warts on the fingers, but it is only FDA-approved for genital and perianal warts. Duct tape can be used as a home remedy for warts on the fingers, with estimates suggesting it cures about 80% of warts.
Preventive measures a person can take to help reduce their risk of developing further warts include avoiding nail-biting, wearing proper shoes at the pool-side, and washing hands often. Warts are contagious, and a person may develop warts as a result of direct or indirect contact with another person's wart, or through objects that have come into contact with another person's wart.
People may require 3-4 injections of the anti-HPV treatment every 3-4 weeks, as per the AAFP. Soaking the wart with warm water for 5 minutes before applying the treatment, and filing down any thick skin on the wart with a pumice stone or emery board, may help the medicine penetrate the layers of skin that contain active HPV.
Injections of Candida or mumps antigen into a wart may stimulate an immune response against HPV. The immune response from these injections can also affect distant warts, according to the AAFP.
Aftercare advice from a doctor includes information on preventing further trauma to the area, preventing HPV transmission to others, and reducing the risk of developing further warts. Warts on the fingers may resolve on their own, but medical treatment may be necessary if they persist for weeks to months and people may have to apply wart treatments several times per day for as long as the wart persists.
It is crucial to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis, especially if a person does not see any improvement in finger warts after using 17% salicylic acid for no longer than 12 consecutive weeks. Various strains of HPV can lead to different types of wart, and a doctor can help determine the best course of treatment based on the type and severity of the wart.
[1] American Family Physician. (2018). Management of common warts in children and adults. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2018/0215/fpcertifying.html [2] Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020). Warts: Diagnosis and treatment. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/warts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369950 [3] National Health Service. (2020). Warts and verrucas. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/wart/ [4] American Academy of Dermatology. (2020). Warts. Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/contagious-skin-diseases/wart [5] American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. (2020). Cryotherapy. Retrieved from https://www.asds.net/public-education/disease-library/cryotherapy
- At-home treatments for finger warts, such as salicylic acid, are available as over-the-counter (OTC) medications, providing a convenient option for breaking down the hard outer layer of the wart.
- For those experiencing persistent or stubborn warts, medical-conditions treatment may be sought through professional procedures like cryotherapy, which involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, offering faster results compared to salicylic acid.
- Moving beyond home remedies and professional treatments, photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid and prescription options like Imiquimod (Aldara) can be considered for specific cases, but their efficacy for finger warts remains under study.
