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There are limited cases where the home approach is acceptable – mostly for common viral warts on the hands/feet, not on the face and genitals.
1) Products with salicylic acid (10–40%)
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What: mainly for warts , not for soft papillomas/skin tags.
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How to: Soak the area for 5–10 minutes in warm water, pat dry, apply the solution/gel patch only to the wart, protect the surrounding skin with petroleum jelly. Repeat daily for 6–12 weeks.
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Who should be careful:Â diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, sensitive skin, children – consult in advance.
2) OTC cryo-sprays for warts
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Weaker than medical cryotherapy, but sometimes helps with small warts.
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Follow instructions exactly ; avoid face/genitals/sensitive areas.
Important: These remedies are not for skin tags (the soft pendants on the neck). Home “threading”, cutting, or acid removal of these tags carries a risk of infection and scarring.
Dangerous “home tricks” to avoid
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Tying with thread/hair (ligature) at home – easily becomes inflamed, can remain a base and recur, bleeding and scarring are possible.
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Cutting/shaving at home – risk of infection, scarring, heavy bleeding .
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Vinegar, lemon, iodine, celandine, garlic, essential oils – often cause chemical burns and dermatitis; evidence of effectiveness is limited.
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Inappropriate “corn acids” on face/neck/genitals – high risk of damage to healthy skin.
Post-removal care (office or at home)
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Keep the area clean and dry for the first 24–48 hours.
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If there is a scab, do not break the crust ; let it fall off on its own.
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Upon the recommendation of a doctor, you can use a gentle antiseptic /epithelializing cream.
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Avoid solariums and direct sun; if necessary – SPF 50+ .
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If there is redness, severe pain, or discharge , see a doctor.
How to reduce the risk of occurrence and recurrence
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HPV vaccination (according to schedule and age) reduces the risk of some types of HPV.
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Do not share razors, towels, or files.
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Keep skin dry in areas of friction; wear loose clothing.
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Control your weight, insulin resistance, and diabetes – skin tags are more common in metabolic disorders.
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Avoid microtraumas on hands/feet; wear flip-flops in swimming pools and shared showers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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