Do your kids have small, rough bumps on their hands, feet or other parts of their body? If so, they may have warts. Warts are common, harmless skin growths caused by a viral infection. They often affect children and teens, who can pick up wart-causing viruses easily. The good news is that there are many effective wart treatments available. With the right care, you can get rid of warts through methods like wart removal and help prevent new ones from developing.

What are warts?

Warts are small, rough lumps on the top layer of skin. They have an irregular surface and well-defined boundaries. Warts are caused by infection with certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). Over 100 types of HPV exist and around 30 of them can cause warts on the hands, feet and other parts of the body. HPV enters the skin through tiny cuts and spreads to infect other skin cells. It causes rapid cell growth, resulting in warts.

Why do kids get warts?

Children and teens are prone to warts for a few reasons:

Developing immune system - The immune system in kids is still maturing. This makes it harder for them to fight off HPV infection.
Frequent skin injuries - Kids often get minor cuts, scrapes and hangnails from playing sports or outdoor activities. These skin injuries allow the wart virus to enter and infect their skin.
Close contact - Schools, playgrounds and sports teams make it easier for kids to come in close contact with people who have warts. Touching warts or surfaces used by infected people spreads the virus.

Types of Warts in Kids

There are several types of warts that can develop in children:

Common warts

These are round, raised bumps with a rough surface that can develop anywhere on the body. Common warts commonly affect the hands and knees. Thankfully, there are many effective wart removal treatments available to get rid of these stubborn growths on the hands and knees, such as over-the-counter salicylic acid products or freezing kits.

Plantar warts

These grow on the soles of the feet. They can be painful when walking.

Flat warts

These are small, smooth and flat warts often found on the face, legs or arms.

Filiform warts

These have a thread-like shape and typically grow around the mouth, nose and eyelids.

Treating Warts in Children

Several effective over-the-counter and prescription treatments can get rid of kids' warts:

Over-the-counter treatments

These are the first-line options for treating warts at home:

Salicylic acid - This helps peel off layers of infected skin cells. It comes in patches, gels or liquids.
Duct tape - Simply placing a small piece of duct tape over the wart may help boost the immune response and get rid of it.
Freezing kits - These use liquid nitrogen to freeze off warts.

Prescription treatments

If over-the-counter options don’t work, doctors can prescribe:

Medications like retinoids, imiquimod cream and candida antigen injections to stimulate the immune system against warts.
Cantharidin - This blistering agent helps peel off wart tissue.
Laser therapy - Lasers burn off warts with concentrated beams of light.

Home remedies

Some natural home treatments like garlic, banana peel, aloe vera or tea tree oil may help get rid of warts. But evidence for their effectiveness is limited.

When to see a doctor

See your paediatrician if:

Warts are widespread, painful or bleeding
Warts haven't gone away after 2-3 months of home treatment
Warts keep growing back
Your child tries to remove warts on their own leading to infection

For extensive or stubborn warts, doctors can prescribe stronger medicine or procedures like freezing, laser removal or minor surgery to remove them.

Preventing Warts in Kids

You can help prevent warts in your children with these tips:

Good hygiene

Ensure kids wash hands frequently with soap and water
Avoid nail biting and picking at hangnails
Keep minor cuts clean and covered until healed
Don’t share towels or scrub loofahs

Avoid direct contact

Discourage direct touching of other children’s warts
Don’t let kids share shoes, socks or razors
Use flip flops or pool shoes at public showers, pools, etc.

Strengthen immune system

Feed kids a healthy, balanced diet with fruits and vegetables
Make sure they get enough sleep and physical activity
Give a daily multivitamin if diet is inadequate

Get vaccinated

HPV vaccines protect against strains that cause genital warts and warts in the throat. Discuss with your paediatrician.

Conclusion

Key takeaways

Warts are a common problem for kids but can be managed with proper treatment and prevention. Seek medical care for painful, widespread or recurring warts. Over-the-counter salicylic acid products, freezing and duct tape are effective first-line treatments for most warts. Good hygiene, avoiding contact with warts, strengthening immunity and HPV vaccination help prevent warts.

Final thoughts

With vigilance and proactive care, you can help your children avoid and get rid of frustrating, embarrassing warts! Work closely with your paediatrician to find the right treatments and keep warts from disrupting your child’s activities.

FAQs

Are warts contagious?

Yes, warts are contagious. They spread through direct contact with an infected person or by touching objects used by them. Avoid picking at or touching warts and cover them to stop spread.

How long do kids' warts last?

Most warts resolve on their own within 6 months to 2 years. With treatment, they can be removed sooner. Some may last longer without treatment. See a doctor for persistent warts.

Can I spread warts to myself or my family?

Yes, you can spread warts to yourself by touching or scratching them, or to family by shared use of towels, bathroom surfaces, etc. Practise good hygiene to prevent spread at home.

Are warts a sign of low immunity?

No, warts themselves don't mean a child has poor immunity. Butkids with weakened immune systems can develop more extensive or stubborn warts. Boosting immunity helps the body clear warts.

How do doctors remove warts?

Doctors can remove warts by freezing them with liquid nitrogen, burning them off with laser therapy, cutting them out surgically or applying prescription treatments. They will select the best method based on the type, location and extent of warts.

Got Kids? How to Treat and Prevent Warts in Children