Wart (Verruca Vulgaris, Plantar Wart, Verruca Plantaris)

Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas

General Information:

  • Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus – HPV
  • They can affect any area of the body where there is skin including the scalp, face, nostrils, eyelids, palms, soles and genitals
  • When warts affect the soles, they are known as “plantar warts”
  • There is no medication available at this time, which can kill the HPV virus
  • As a result multiple treatments are often needed
  • Warts will eventually go away on their own, even if they are not treated
    • This may take years
  • On average, it takes 6 treatments to treat hand warts, and 12 treatments to treat warts on the soles
  • Approximately 70% of warts can be cured
  • Warts are difficult to spread to other people
  • There is no need to stop participation in sporting activities
  • You may wish to cover your warts with a bandage, but this probably does not reduce the risk of spreading them to other people

Liquid Nitrogen

  • It is a cold spray used to ‘freeze’ the wart to destroy it
  • The treatments are painful and the area treated may remain painful for 1 to 2 days
  • The treatment may produce a blister or a blood blister
    • This is normal
    • If the blister is painful, “pop” it with a sterile needle to let the fluid out
  • The treated area requires no special treatment
  • You may bathe normally
  • A bandage is not necessary, although it may make the area more comfortable
  • Treatment is usually done every 1 to 2 weeks
    • If treatments are spread further apart they are even less effective

Cantharone Plus

  • Is a liquid that produces blisters when applied to skin
  • The medication is made from a beetle from the jungles of South America
    • The beetle uses the blister producing fluid as a defense mechanism
  • The application of Cantharone Plus is painless
  • Blisters may form in the treated areas within 24 hours of treatment
    • This is normal
    • If  the blister is painful, ‘pop’ it with a sterile needle to let the fluid out
  • The treated area requires no special treatment
  • You may bathe normally
  • A bandage is not necessary, although it may make the area more comfortable
  • Treatment is usually done every 1 to 2 weeks
    • If treatments are spread further apart they are even less effective
  • Cantharone Plus will produce blisters if it is applied to normal skin, the eyes or the mouth
    • It is very important that the treated area not be touched and remains covered
  • Cantharone Plus is usually washed off three hours after it is applied
    • A glove should be worn when it is washed off because Cantharone Plus is poisonous

Over the Counter Treatments

  • There are many available
  • Many of the creams contain salicylic acid
    • This softens the wart and makes it easier to scrape the wart down
  • None of these medications can kill the wart virus
  • These medications tend to work very slowly

Insurance Coverage

OHIP insures or covers the treatment of warts:

  • On the soles of the feet
  • Genital Warts
  • Organ Transplant Patients (e.g. kidney, heart, liver)
  • On the face in children under age 18

OHIP does NOT insure or cover the treatment of warts:

  • On the hands
  • On the body – excluding the genitals and soles of the feet
  • The face in adults (over age 18)
  • These treatments are usually not covered by private insurance either
    • You will be given a receipt at the time of payment for your treatment
    • You may wish to try submitting it to your insurance carrier

Warts – Hand

Warts – Fingers and Knees

Plantar Wart – Sole

What if you are interested to learn more?

If you would like to learn more please phone the aesthetic centre directly at (905) 549-7873 to book a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable technicians or

E-Mail Us