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Treatments for Flat Warts

Flat warts are smaller than genital or plantar warts, and they usually rest flat against the skin. These warts can appear on the face and legs of teens or adults, although they occurs more often in teens. The warts are small and look like small bumps or flesh-colored pimples. Warts appear on the body because of HPV, or human papillomavirus, which is not always dangerous, but is contagious.

  1. Duct Tape

    • Use duct tape, which can prevent oxygen from getting to the wart and dry it out, allowing it fall off. For flat warts appearing on the legs and other parts of the body, apply a small piece of duct tape that overlaps about 1 inch from the wart on all sides. Leave the tape on for five days, then gently peel the duct tape off. If your wart has not come along with the tape, apply a new piece of tape and leave it on for five more days. If your wart still remains after 10 days, consult a doctor or move on to a different treatment option. Flat warts often appear on the face, but do not apply duct tape to the face.

    Freezing the Wart

    • A popular treatment for warts is to get it frozen off. There are inexpensive home freezing kits available at your local drugstore, like Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away Wart Remover. Purchase and try Freeze Away before going to the doctor if you are not in a hurry to remove the wart. Freeze Away can take up to ten days to work, whereas one treatment at the doctor's office will most likely remove the wart, but the procedure can cost hundreds of dollars.

    Wait It Out

    • The average wart usually goes away within two years. Although this is a long time to wait, many people with small unnoticeable warts may prefer to wait out the two years. If the wart does not go away within two years and the wart has not responded to freezing treatments, a doctor can remove the wart surgically, by cutting it out and placing a few stitches to heal the skin, if necessary.

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