Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Spanish version

What are warts?

Warts are raised, round, rough-surfaced growths on the skin. They occur most often on the hands. They are not painful unless they are on the bottom of the foot (called plantar warts). Unlike a callus, a wart has brown dots in it and has a distinct boundary with the normal skin. Warts are caused by viruses.

How can I take care of my child?

• Use wart-removing acids.

  Ask your pharmacist to recommend an over-the-counter acid for removing warts.

  Put the acid on the wart once a day. The acid will work faster if you cover the wart with adhesive tape or duct tape after you put the acid on the wart.

  The acid will turn the top of the wart into dead skin. Once or twice a week, remove the dead wart material by paring it down with a razor blade. The dead wart will be softer and easier to slice if you soak the area first in warm water for 10 minutes. If the cutting causes any pain or minor bleeding, you have cut into living wart tissue.

• Try not to spread the warts.

  Encourage your child not to pick at the warts because this may cause the warts to spread. If your child chews or sucks the wart, cover the area with a Band-Aid and change it daily. Warts are not spread very easily to other people.

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• Warts develop on the feet, genitals, or face.
• New warts develop after 2 weeks of treatment.
• The warts are still present after 8 weeks of treatment.
• You have other concerns or questions.