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Common Treatments for Warts on the Face

Warts are benign skin growths, which result from a viral infection in the top layer of skin, called the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Flat warts, which commonly occur on the face and forehead, are more common in teenagers and children and are about the size of a pinhead, with a flat top. Common treatments for warts on the face include applying salicylic acid, or having a doctor cut away the wart with an electric needle.

  1. Medication

    • Medication is usually the first step in treating warts on the face, and a patient may need to have medication applied in the doctor's office. Cantharidin, which is a substance extracted from the blister beetle, can be mixed with other chemicals by a doctor, painted onto the affected area and covered with a bandage. This application isn't painful, but results in a skin blister, which may be painful and swollen. The blister lifts the wart from the skin, so the doctor can easily remove the dead part of the wart.

    Cryotherapy

    • One common treatment used for warts on the face is freezing the wart, also known as cryotherapy. After removing the dead layers of skin on the facial wart, a doctor applies an extremely cold substance called liquid nitrogen, by either spraying the facial wart or using a cotton swab. Cryotherapy is performed fairly quickly, and leaves little or no scarring. Patients may suffer blisters after the procedure, which can cause pain, burst, and become infected. Treating facial warts with cryotherapy may not result in a permanent solution because the treatment does not go deep enough into the wart to eliminate the virus. This procedure can also result in slightly discolored skin in the affected area.

    Natural Treatment

    • Applying topical applications such as banana peel or garlic can be an effective natural treatment for warts on the face, but discontinue treatment if skin becomes irritated. Before going to sleep, cut a piece of banana peel and tape it over the wart. Banana peel contains a number of minerals and antioxidants that help skin become healthy again. It contains potassium, which naturally keeps the skin soft and healthy. To make a raw garlic patch, apply a thin layer of castor or olive oil over the warts and then tape a thin slice of fresh garlic in place. Garlic keeps the warts from receiving oxygen and in a few weeks, the warts will turn a black color and fall off.

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