Warts And All

How to get rid of these unsightly skin growths

- Samantha Rideout

CAUSED BY HUMAN papilloma viruses (HPVs) and transmitted via touch or contaminated surfaces, warts are so common that you’re nearly guaranteed to get one over the course of your life. ese small, rough skin growths, which can show up anywhere, typically aect the hands, feet or genitals. ey’re usually harmless but can be bothersome and embarrassing.

Part of what makes warts so frustrating is their stubbornness: they can take months or even years to go away on their own—and some never do. If you’re tired of waiting, you could try salicylic acid, which is available in over-the-counter treatment kits. It won’t resolve matters overnight but could speed up the process by eroding the wart a little bit at a time.