What Are the Treatments for Warts on Fingers?

Warts on the fingers can be embarrassing, especially if they start to spread and surround the nails. Warts on the fingers can affect any gender and age group, but they are most prevalent in children and young people between the ages of 10 and 20. According to the East Carolina University, warts that are located on the hands and fingers can be spread to other people who touch the affected area. While some warts will run their course and eventually disappear, some are much more stubborn and require some form of medical treatment.

What Are Warts?

• Warts are growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are non-cancerous. According to the Mayo Clinic, the warts that grow on the fingers are referred to as common warts, but the technical name is actually verruca vulgaris. Warts that grow on the fingers appear as raised bumps that are flesh-toned and rough in texture.

Salicylic Acid

• Salicylic acid is inexpensive and is considered highly effective as a treatment for the common warts that develop on the fingers. The medicine is available over-the-counter in strengths up to 17 percent salicylic acid as the active ingredient. The Warts Information Center reports that prescription-strength medications often contain as much as 70 percent salicylic acid. When the salicylic acid is administered, it is imperative that it is applied only to the warts. Any overflow can burn the tender skin surrounding the warts. The salicylic acid chemically exfoliates the outer layer of skin, causing the wart to dry out and fall off. The salicylic acid should be applied every day to achieve the best result.

Liquid Nitrogen

• Liquid nitrogen is another alternative for the removal of warts on the fingers. The method is referred to as "cryotherapy," and the liquid nitrogen is administered at a temperature of minus 196 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the liquid nitrogen actually freezes the wart and destroys it. DermNet NZ explains that sometimes cryotherapy needs to be repeated if the viral strain that is causing the warts is resistant to the first application of liquid nitrogen. But, once the liquid nitrogen destroys the wart at its root, it will eventually fall off.

Cantharidin

• Cantharidin is odorless and clear in color. It is derived from the blister beetle and was first identified in 1810. Cantharidin is often used when salicylic acid and cryotherapy fail as initial treatments for warts. Cantharidin must be applied to warts by a licensed physician. The chemical is applied to the warts that are located on the fingers, and a temporary bandage is then placed over it for 24 hours to keep the chemical in place and protect the area. According to Health.com, cantharidin will cause blistering. Once the blistered skin falls off, the wart will fall away with it. There is usually no scarring following the use of cantharidin.

Burning

• Burning warts is another method of treatment that can be performed by a physician, but the technique often leaves scarring. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology in Kirksville, Missouri, reveals that there are several tools that can be used for burn removal of warts. The first is an electric needle that is placed directly over the warts on the finger. The procedure destroys the skin under the wart, taking the wart with it when it falls off. There are two laser treatments that can be used for warts that follow the same concept as the electric needle and are just as effective. CO2 lasers work almost identically to the electric needle and offer the same result. The pulsed-dye laser produces the same results, but there is no scarring.

Cutting, Binding and Medication

• Cutting is a treatment method for the removal of finger warts that may have certain complications. The method can be quite painful and has the potential to scar and become infected. Oral medications and injections are another treatment route that is sometimes pursued to remove warts. It is believed that boosting the immune system will help the body overcome the virus that is causing the warts. Finally, there is the duct tape method, which involves wrapping ordinary duct tape around the fingers to "suffocate" the wart and cause it to die and fall away. The duct tape needs to be removed and replaced with a new piece of tape daily until the wart falls off.