Warts and verrucae (adjunctive care)
Also known as: warts, verrucae, plantar warts, hpv warts
Warts are harmless skin growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV); verrucae are warts on the soles of the feet. Most clear on their own within 1–2 years, and pharmacy freezing or salicylic acid treatments are first line. Chinese medicine sees them as Blood stasis and Heat toxin on the skin, often with lowered defensive Qi.
Plain-English one-pager you can print or hand to a patient. Free, no sign-in needed.
Lifestyle & Diet
- •Most warts clear by themselves within 1–2 years; treatment speeds it up.
- •Don't pick, scratch or shave over warts — they spread.
- •Cover verrucae with a plaster in pools and changing rooms; wear flip-flops.
- •Pharmacy salicylic acid or freezing kits are effective first-line options.
- •See a GP for facial, genital or stubborn warts.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Never needle into a wart itself — infection and spread risk; encircling technique only.[]
- •Any changing or pigmented lesion must be checked by a GP before treating it as a wart.[,]
When to reassess or seek care again
Review size and number every 4–6 weeks; refer on if spreading rapidly or not responding to standard treatment.
Explore more diseases
Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- NHS · 2024
- Healthdirect Australia · 2024
- AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.