Wart hacks sound fun until you burn your skin—stick to science, not your cousin’s nuskha

Warts | Representative image | Health Advisory Clinic

This week’s piece is dedicated to something we all have—a little collective shame: viral warts. Yes, those bumpy little annoyances that show up uninvited, like a commercial break in the middle of an intense romcom scene.

Nobody asked for them.

So, wha(r)t even?

Let’s get down to it. Viral warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Before you freak out, hear me out.

There are over 100 different types of HPV, and only a few are actually contagious.

The warts caused by HPV are quite harmless but extremely annoying. They can show up on your hands, feet, and even your face—think of them as those friends and family members who crash your functions with every intention of overstaying their welcome.

Common warts are flesh-coloured bumps with a rough texture, sometimes featuring tiny black dots. Beware—those black dots are NOT dirt; they’re actually your blood vessels, so please don’t try to scrape them off. These nuisances can appear in groups or individually on your fingers, nails, and the soles of your feet.

Why do viral warts come and go?

Here’s where it gets interesting. Viral warts spread through direct skin contact. Gym surfaces, pool decks, borrowed gym clothes, mats, and equipment—all of these could be sources of the HPV strain that causes warts.

And guess what? They can linger on your skin like an unwelcome guest for up to 90 days—that’s three months of silently plotting their grand entrance.

Not only that, but viral warts are huge fans of the Koebner phenomenon. Named after a German physician in 1876, this phenomenon suggests that if you have one wart, you’re more likely to get more, especially if your skin is prone to irritation.

Now, here’s the kicker: viral warts can make a comeback, like an annoying boomerang. Many people blame their doctors for warts returning, but let me tell you—it’s not your doctor’s fault. Sometimes, the virus hides so deep within the skin that even a microscope can’t detect it. So, if your wart reappears like a classic sequel villain, blame the wart for being a clingy jerk, not your doctor.

What could make it worse?

Several factors can worsen your wart situation:

• Low immunity: If you’re stressed and sleep-deprived, your immune system weakens—hello, warts!
• Poor hygiene: Wash your hands regularly, and if you like walking barefoot in public spaces—just don’t. That’s like handing an open invitation to warts.
• Skin contact: Sharing is caring, but maybe draw the line at contagious skin conditions?
• Skin injuries: Cuts or scrapes are basically a green light for the virus to invade your body.

What not to do: The dangerous world of wart hacks

Ever heard of tying horse hair around a wart or applying a mix of lime and chalk to remove it?

Yup. Aren’t you glad we’ve evolved?

Unfortunately, I still see patients trying these old-school remedies. Let me be clear: these do not work. Worse, they can cause burns, infections, and even long-term skin damage.

As a practicing dermatologist with over 14 years of experience, here’s my advice: Stick to science. Please don’t fall for some random nuskha your aunt’s in-law’s nephew’s cousin’s neighbour’s friend swears by.

How to actually treat viral warts

Now that we’ve covered what not to do, let’s talk about legit ways to deal with warts.

• Wait and watch: Sometimes, warts disappear on their own if you’re lucky.
• Topical treatments:
  • Retinoids: Great for flat warts.
  • Salicylic acid: Available over the counter; it gradually breaks down the wart.
• Cryotherapy: A dermatologist freezes your wart using liquid nitrogen. Painful? A little. Effective? Absolutely.
• Radio cauterisation: The gold standard for wart removal. This method zaps warts using high-frequency radio waves, removing them while simultaneously sealing the skin. Simple and efficient!

Can warts come back?

Unfortunately, yes. Even after treatment, there’s always a 20 per cent chance of recurrence.

The solution? Stay on top of your skincare routine, keep your immune system strong, and please—don’t scratch your warts.

Preventive tips

• Keep your hands and feet clean and dry.
• No barefoot walking in public.
• Do not share personal items like towels or shoes.
• Maintain a healthy immune system to reduce the chances of recurrence.

Warts may be annoying, but with the right knowledge and treatment, you can keep them under control. Just remember—science over superstition, always.

Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is a Consultant Dermatologist, Max Hospital, Saket. She is also an anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal.

(Edited by Prashant)