Wart Treatments Reviewed
We inspected hundreds of the best selling wart treatments and chose the most effective solutions. We do the research, check the quality, and determine the top products on the market. Our goal is to remove the guesswork from product shopping, because when you’ve got health problems you need a cure fast, not a cabinet full of products that don’t work.
Wart Treatments (in order of superiority):
Cantharidin
Warts are harmless, but they can be embarrassing or annoying. They are caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which infects the body through a break in the skin and causes skin cells to grow rapidly. There are five kinds of warts, grouped by appearance and the place they appear.
Many people simply ignore warts. Eventually, they will go away on their own as the body kills off the virus that causes them. However, others want them to go away more quickly and will try medications.
Cantharidin is an untested and unregulated wart treatment. A chemical is taken from a beetle called the green blister beetle and used to make the formulation, which is said to be effective against particularly stubborn warts.
Again, Cantharidin has not been evaluated by the FDA. Whether it is safe and effective is not known, and claims to the contrary are questionable at best. It may work for you, it may not. However, some people should absolutely avoid Cantharidin, including: diabetics, people with circulatory problems, and people with certain other conditions. It should never be taken alongside other medications, as the interactions have not been tested.
Cantharidin is said by many to be effective, and it may prove to be as safe as it is advertised. However, it has not been evaluated by the FDA yet and as such is not recommended.
Compound W
When HPV (Human Papillomavirus) breaks the skin, a wart can form. There are over 100 known types of HPV, making warts a very common ailment. However, warts are harmless, and will go away over time.
If waiting isn’t for you, there are wart removal products available. Compound W is available in many pharmacies, and its active ingredient is salicylic acid. Not all warts can be removed with medication, but many experts claim that Compound W does as good a job as prescription medication.
Compound W softens the wart’s tough outer skin, making it fade away more quickly. It is chemically related to aspirin.
Be careful using Compound W if you are not sure that a growth is, in fact, a wart. It should not be used if you have diabetes or any circulatory disorder, either. Be careful when applying Compound W that you did not get it on the skin surrounding the wart – you can do this by covering the area.
Due to its acidic nature, Compound W may cause irritation and redness. If the irritation sticks around, stop using the product. Side effects are uncommon, but they can be a problem, so if you experience anything out of the ordinary then contact a doctor.
Tretinoin
Warts are unsightly and sometimes embarrassing, but they’re not harmful. They’re caused by the Human Papillomavirus, which enters through the skin and causes skin cells to rapidly grow. They will go away on their own in time, but some people prefer to treat them quickly.
Many people turn to over the counter medications, like Compound W. These are typically made with salicylic acid and seem just as effective as prescription ointments. However, some doctors will prescribe retinoids for difficult cases.
Tretinoin is one example. It is typically used to eliminate acne, but works well against warts as well. It is a good choice for many people, but it should not be used by pregnant women or those with certain pre-existing illnesses. Before beginning treatment, make sure you doctor knows your full history and list of prescriptions you are currently taking.
Tretinoin is a powerful ointment, and it can cause irritation and sun sensitivity. Other skin care products may greatly increase these effects, so discuss your skin care habits with your doctor when you discuss Tretinoin.
Tretinoin may eliminate very stubborn warts, but the potential for dangerous interactions with other products is real, as well as the risk of side effects. It may be right for some, but it’s not right for everyone.
