Warts and verrucas

Check if you have a wart or verruca

A pharmacist can help with warts and verrucas

You can buy creams, plasters and sprays from pharmacies to get rid of warts and verrucas.

These treatments can take up to 3 months to complete, may irritate your skin and don't always work. You shouldn't use these treatments on your face.

Your pharmacist can give you advice about the best treatment for you.

See a GP if:

• you're worried about a growth on your skin
• you have a wart or verruca that keeps coming back
• you have a very large or painful wart or verruca
• a wart bleeds or changes in how it looks
• you have a wart on your face or genitals

Treatment from a GP

Your GP may be able to freeze a wart or verruca so it falls off a few weeks later. Sometimes it takes a few sessions.

Check with your GP if the NHS pays for this treatment in your area.

If treatment hasn't worked or you have a wart on your face, your GP might refer you to a skin specialist. Other treatments include minor surgery and treatment with laser or light.

How to stop warts and verrucas spreading

Warts and verrucas are caused by a virus. They can be spread to other people from contaminated surfaces or through close skin contact. You're more likely to spread a wart or verruca if your skin is wet or damaged.

It can take months for a wart or verruca to appear after contact with the virus.