Definition

• Warts are small raised growths that have a rough surface
• Viral infection of the skin

Health Information

Symptoms

• Raised, round, rough-surfaced growths on the skin
• Skin-colored or pink
• Most commonly occur on the hands, especially the fingers
• Not painful unless located on the sole of the foot (plantar wart). Also can be painful if on part of a finger used for writing

Cause

• Warts are caused by several human papilloma viruses
• Different types of warts are caused by different papilloma viruses

Prevention of Spread to Others

• Avoid baths or hot tubs with other children. Reason: Warts can spread in warm water.
• Also, avoid sharing washcloths or towels.
• Contact sports: Warts can spread to other team members. Warts should be covered or treated.
• Time it takes to get warts after close contact: 3 months

Care Advice

1. Overview:
   • Warts are common (10% of children).
   • Warts are harmless and most can be treated at home.
   • The sooner you treat them, the less they will spread.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Wart-Removing Acid:
   • Buy a wart medicine with 17% salicylic acid. There are many brands (Compound W, Duofilm, Wart-Off). No prescription is needed.
   • Apply the acid once a day to the top of the wart. If there are many warts, treat the 3 largest ones.
   • Since it’s an acid, avoid getting any near the eyes or mouth. Also try to keep it off the normal skin.
   • The acid will turn the wart into dead skin (it will turn white).
3. Duct Tape - Cover the Wart:
   • The acid will work faster if it is covered with duct tape. Do not use regular tape.
   • If you don’t want to use an acid, use duct tape alone.
   • Covering warts with duct tape can irritate the warts. This will turn on the body’s immune system.
   • Cover as many of the warts as possible. (Cover at least 3 of them.)
   • The covered warts become red and start to die. Once this happens, often ALL the warts will go away.
   • Try to keep the warts covered all the time.
   • Remove the tape once per day, usually before bathing. Then replace it after bathing.
   • Some children child object to having the tape on at school. At the very least, tape it every night.
4. Remove Dead Wart:
   • Once or twice a week, remove the dead wart material. Do this by paring it down with a disposable razor.
   • This is easier to do than you think. It shouldn’t cause any pain or bleeding.
   • Soak the area first in warm water for 10 minutes. (Reason: The dead wart will be easier to remove.)
   • Some children won’t want you to cut off the layer of dead wart. Rub it off with a washcloth instead.
5. Prevention of Spread to Other Areas of Your Child’s Body:
   • Discourage your child from picking at the wart. Picking it and scratching a new area with the same finger can spread warts. A new wart can form in 1 to 2 months.
   • Chewing or sucking on them can lead to similar warts on the face.
   • If your child is doing this, cover the wart with a Band-Aid.
   • Keep your child’s fingernails cut short and wash your child’s hands more often.
6. What to Expect:
   • Without treatment, warts go away in about 2 years
   • With home treatment, they can usually be cleared up in 2 to 3 months
   • There are no shortcuts to treating warts
7. Return to School:
   • Your child doesn’t have to miss any child care or school for warts.
   • There is only a mild risk that warts spread to others.

Call Your Doctor If

• Warts develop on the feet, genitals, or face
• New warts develop after 2 weeks of treatment
• Warts are still present after 12 weeks of treatment
• You think your child needs to be seen

Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP

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