How to Remove a Wart From My Hand

You can remove a wart from the hand easily using an over-the-counter wart remover. The wart remover uses a small adhesive pad containing salicylic acid. The acid breaks down the bonds of the skin resulting in the death of the infected tissue. In addition to the chemical therapy, mechanical removal of the infected tissue during treatment significantly improves the effectiveness of this method of wart removal.

Things You'll Need

• Salicylic acid pads
• Emery board
• Medical tape

Instructions

1. Wash the area to be treated with soap and warm water. Let the area soak for about 15 minutes to soften the skin.

2. Remove the paper from the pad, exposing the adhesive. Center the pad directly over the wart and push it onto the skin. Ensure that all parts of the pad adhere to the skin. If you have problems getting the pad to adhere, use the medical tape to secure it in place. Replace the pad daily for 12 weeks.

3. Remove the pad by peeling it off of the skin. If you have any trouble removing the pad, warm water may help loosen the adhesive. Remove any adhesive that sticks to the skin with soap and water.

4. Remove the dead infected tissue by gently filing the top layers of the wart off with the emery board. Do this after washing and soaking the area before you apply the new pad every day. This removal of infected tissue will also stimulate the growth of new, uninfected skin and accelerate the dissolution of the wart.

5. Continue treatment until you cannot differentiate between the spot where the wart was and the surrounding skin. The area may initially be depressed below the level of the surrounding skin but this is normal before the wart is completely resolved.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a pumice stone instead of an emery board.

• Read the literature that is included with the wart removal product and follow all directions.

References

• "Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy;" Thomas P. Habif MD; 2003

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish