Wart Removal: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Wart Removal?
A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin problems, treats warts. A primary care doctor may be able to freeze a wart. A podiatrist, a foot specialist, may treat a large or very painful wart on the foot. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
A wart is a common, non-cancerous skin growth caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Wart removal is a treatment plan that may include one or more treatments. Warts can be cured.
Here we cover warts that are not on the genitals. Genital warts can be treated at a sexual health clinic.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Most warts are harmless, and many go away on their own. It can take a few months to years for a wart to disappear. Treatment can help clear warts more quickly. It can also lower the risk of spreading the virus to other people or to other parts of your body. For some people, treatment may not be recommended.
You should see a board-certified dermatologist if you have any of the following.
- Warts on your face.
- A wart that is changing, hurts, itches, burns, or bleeds.
- Many warts.
- Tried at-home treatment and cannot get rid of the wart.
- A weakened immune system, for example from cancer, HIV, or an organ transplant.
- Diabetes.
How to prepare
Your dermatologist chooses a treatment based on your health, your age, the type of wart you have, and other considerations. To burn and scrape a wart, the dermatologist begins by numbing the skin.
You may be able to treat a wart at home with a wart treatment that you can buy online or in a store. These products often contain salicylic acid.
What happens during it
- Cryosurgery: the dermatologist freezes the wart with a very cold substance, which causes the wart to scab up and fall off.
- Cantharidin: the dermatologist paints this medicine on the wart, and it causes a blister to form around and under the wart.
- Electrosurgery and curettage: the dermatologist burns the wart off and scrapes it.
- Excision: the dermatologist cuts the wart out.
- Laser therapy: if other treatments have not worked, a laser can treat stubborn warts and may clear them quickly.
Recovery
After cryosurgery, you may see crusting or a blister on the treated skin, and this is expected. The treated area usually heals within 4 to 7 days. After electrosurgery, the treated area will be sore, discolored, and swollen, and you may have some bleeding. After laser therapy, the treated area may feel sore for up to 2 weeks. After cantharidin, you will wash off the medicine at home later in the day and keep the treated area clean and dry.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, fainting, coughing up or vomiting blood, or bleeding that will not stop.
Risks and side effects
Salicylic acid can cause irritated skin and stinging where you apply it. Cryosurgery can lighten, darken, or scar the treated skin. With cantharidin, pain and blistering are expected. Bleeding and infection can happen with excision but are rare when a dermatologist does it. Laser therapy can cause bleeding, temporarily discolored skin, or a burning sensation.
Who performs it
Board-certified dermatologists can treat a wart in the office, usually with a few treatment sessions.
Common questions
Do warts have to be removed?
Not always, because most warts are harmless and go away on their own if you have a healthy immune system. If you have a weakened immune system, your body may not get rid of warts.
How many freezing treatments does a wart need?
Most people need more than one freezing treatment. Treatment may be repeated every 2 to 4 weeks.
Can I remove a wart at home?
You may be able to treat a wart at home with a treatment you can buy online or in a store. Pharmacy treatments can take up to 3 months, may irritate your skin, and do not always work. You should not use them on your face.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology - Warts: Diagnosis and treatment
- American Academy of Dermatology - Warts: FAQs
- NHS - Warts and verrucas
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
