Warts are small, rough growths on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are generally harmless, but many people consider them unsightly and want to remove them. This leads to the common question – can you pull out a wart? The short answer is yes, it is possible to pull out or extract a wart with tweezers or fingernails, but this is not recommended. There are safer, more effective methods for removing warts.
What are warts?
Warts are noncancerous skin growths caused by infection with one of over 100 types of HPV. Different types of HPV tend to cause warts on different areas of the body:
- Common warts (verruca vulgaris) – rough, raised bumps that develop on hands and fingers
- Plantar warts – hard, flat growths that develop on the soles of the feet
- Flat warts (verruca plana) – small, smooth warts that can develop on the face, legs, or arms
- Genital warts – soft growths in the genital area caused by sexually transmitted HPV
Warts are transmitted by direct contact with an infected person or by contact with objects used by an infected person, such as towels, shoes, or gym equipment. They can develop at any age, but are most common among children and teens. The immune system can fight off HPV over time, but warts may persist for weeks, months, or even years.
Should you pull out a wart?
It is possible to pull out or extract a wart with tweezers or fingernails. However, this is generally not recommended for several reasons:
- It can be painful. Warts have roots that extend into the deeper layers of skin. Attempting to rip them out can damage sensitive nerve endings and cause bleeding.
- It can spread HPV. Pulling out a wart may release HPV virus particles onto your fingers and under your fingernails, causing new warts to develop elsewhere.
- It may not remove all of the wart. The roots of warts extend below the skin’s surface. Removing only the visible portion leaves the root intact so the wart can grow back.
- It can lead to scarring. Pulling at a wart aggressively can damage surrounding skin and result in scarring.
For these reasons, dermatologists do not recommend pulling out or digging out warts yourself. There are safer, more effective wart removal options to discuss with your doctor.
How to remove warts
Instead of pulling out warts, it is better to have them removed professionally. Common methods include:
Freezing (cryotherapy)
Freezing warts with liquid nitrogen is the most common method used by dermatologists. Liquid nitrogen is sprayed or applied directly to the wart, freezing and destroying the tissue. Cryotherapy is quick, relatively painless, and studies show it has a success rate of up to 90% after one or two treatments.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels use an acid solution to peel away the wart’s outer layers of skin. Salicylic acid is a common wart peel ingredient. The acid softens and gradually destroys the infected skin so the wart falls off. Peels are typically applied daily at home over a period of weeks.
Laser removal
A dermatologist may use a laser to zap away wart tissue. The laser’s focused light beam targets the blood vessels that feed the wart, cutting off its blood supply. Laser removal requires no anesthetic and has minimal side effects. However, multiple treatments are often needed.
Electrocautery
Electrocautery uses a small electrical current to burn away warts. A tiny probe heated by electricity is applied directly to the wart to destroy the tissue. The procedure must be performed by a dermatologist under local anesthesia. Proper technique helps minimize scarring.
Surgical removal
Excision by scalpel is sometimes used to remove warts that don’t respond to other treatments. The wart is cut out using a surgical blade while the area is numb. Stitches may be required to close the wound. Excision reduces the chance of recurrence but can result in scarring.
Discuss all the treatment options with your dermatologist to determine the best approach for your wart removal. Self-treatment by pulling out warts is not advised.
What happens if you pull out a wart?
While it is possible to physically pull out a wart with tweezers or fingernails, this is not a proper method of wart removal. Here’s what you can expect if you try to extract a wart yourself:
- Pain – Warts have root-like structures that extend into deeper skin layers. Forcibly ripping out a wart traumatizes these nerve fibers, causing significant pain.
- Bleeding – Attempting to dig out and extract a wart often results in bleeding from the open sore left behind. Bleeding may be minor or more extensive depending on the size of the wart.
- HPV spread – Pulling out a wart can release HPV virus particles onto your fingers, tweezers, or nails. These can transmit the infection, leading to the development of new warts.
- Incomplete removal – Typically only the visible portion of the wart is extracted. The roots remain buried in the skin and will likely cause the wart to regrow.
- Infection – An open wart wound creates an entry point for bacteria which could cause a local skin infection marked by redness, swelling, oozing, and pain.
- Scarring – Attempting to gouge out a wart can damage surrounding healthy skin, resulting in scarring once healed.
In some cases an extracted wart may not return if the entire root was successfully removed. However, there are far safer methods that dermatologists can use to treat warts effectively. Save yourself the pain and complications – don’t try to pull out warts!
When to see a doctor for wart removal
It is best to have warts professionally treated and removed by a dermatologist. Make an appointment with your doctor if:
- You have a wart that is painful, bleeding, or changing in appearance
- Your wart persists for longer than 2-3 months
- You develop warts rapidly or have a large number of warts
- Your warts frequently recur after removal
- Warts interfere with your daily activities or quality of life
- Over-the-counter treatments are ineffective at removing your warts
- You have warts in sensitive areas like the face, genitals, or anus
Your dermatologist can determine the appropriate course of treatment to safely remove warts on any part of your body. Trying to pull out warts yourself can do more harm than good.
Home treatment for warts
While warts should be removed professionally, you can try these remedies at home to help clear warts between doctor’s appointments:
Salicylic acid
Non-prescription wart removers containing salicylic acid can help dissolve warts when applied regularly. Look for a 17% salicylic acid solution.
Duct tape
Applying duct tape tightly over warts may help stimulate the immune response against the virus. Change the tape every few days.
Apple cider vinegar
The acids in apple cider vinegar may break down wart tissues. Dip a cotton ball in vinegar and secure it over the wart with a bandage overnight.
Garlic
Garlic contains antiviral compounds that may fight HPV. Crush fresh garlic cloves and apply directly to the wart, securing with a bandage.
Vitamin C
Crushed vitamin C tablets applied to warts may aid drying and peeling. Make a thick paste with powdered vitamin C and water.
Banana peel
Rubbing the inside of a banana peel on warts may slowly remove them over time. Fasten the peel over the wart with a bandage.
Ask your dermatologist before trying these home remedies on genital warts. See your doctor if the wart persists despite home treatment.
How to prevent warts
You can reduce your risk of developing warts with these prevention tips:
- Avoid direct contact with warts and don’t pick at them. This can spread the HPV virus.
- Keep your hands clean and dry. Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
- Avoid biting your nails or picking at hangnails. This creates openings for HPV entry.
- Don’t share towels, razors, or other personal items that come in contact with skin.
- Wear shoes at gyms, pools, showers and locker rooms to prevent foot warts.
- Get the HPV vaccine if you are a preteen/teenager or young adult.
- Use a condom during sexual activity to reduce risk of genital warts.
- Maintain a healthy immune system through diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management.
Warts are common, contagious skin growths, but they don’t have to detract from your quality of life. See a dermatologist for effective professional wart removal treatments that prevent scarring and recurrence. Avoid the temptation to pick at or pull out warts yourself.
Conclusion
Warts can seem like a cosmetic nuisance, but it’s unwise to simply pull them out yourself. While it is possible to extract a wart with fingernails or tweezers, this risks pain, bleeding, scarring, and HPV spread. Warts extend below the skin’s surface, so DIY removal only eliminates the visible portion. For safe, effective wart removal, see your dermatologist. They offer treatments like cryotherapy, acid solutions, lasers, and surgery to remove warts without complications. Don’t pick at or dig out warts – you’ll do far more harm than good.