Warts (common and plantar; excluding face and genitals)
Warts are small, rough skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They’re common, usually harmless, and can appear anywhere — frequently on the hands, or on the soles of the feet, where they’re called plantar warts and can be painful to walk on. The virus spreads through direct contact or shared surfaces like pool decks, gym showers, and change rooms. Warts often clear on their own eventually, but treatment can speed things up — though it takes patience, often several weeks to a few months. A pharmacist can recommend or prescribe treatment and confirm a growth is a simple wart.
Self-care products available in our shop
- Salicylic acid wart treatments (liquids, gels, medicated plasters, or pads)
- Cryotherapy (freezing) kits for at-home wart removal
- Pumice stones / emery boards (dedicated to the wart only) to file softened tissue
- Protective wart cushions for painful plantar warts
- How to treat safely: soak the wart 5–10 minutes and file down loose tissue first, protect surrounding healthy skin (a ring of petroleum jelly helps), apply only to the wart, and don’t use on red, broken, or swollen skin. Treatment can take up to 12 weeks. Cover the wart and don’t share footwear or files, to avoid spreading it.
Treatments our pharmacist can prescribe
For your information only: in Ontario, our pharmacist can assess this condition and, when appropriate, prescribe the medication listed below. This information is provided for educational purposes — it is not an offer to sell. This is a treatment that requires a pharmacist assessment, and the right option is chosen for you.
Keratolytic agents: Salicylic acid
When to seek further care: Do not self-treat, and see a health-care provider, if you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a weakened immune system (foot warts can become serious); the wart is on your face or genitals (outside minor-ailment scope — these need a provider); the growth is painful, bleeding, changing colour, or you’re unsure it’s a wart; or it hasn’t cleared after 12 weeks of treatment.