Treating common warts - options and evidence

Nongenital warts are a common condition seen in general practice, affecting patients of all ages. There are many treatment options and patients often self medicate with remedies from folklore or tradition before presenting to their doctor.

This article attempts to summarise the quality of different treatments and to provide recommendations and a quick reference for treating common warts.

Many common warts will resolve spontaneously but others are recalcitrant and often require ongoing treatment beyond first line measures. Without definite guidelines for treating recalcitrant warts, it is important for the general practitioner to consider the available evidence for efficacy and contraindication of the various treatment options.