What are warts?
Warts are small, rough growths caused by a common virus (HPV) getting into the top layer of skin, often through a small cut. Common warts usually appear on fingers and hands. Plantar warts grow on the soles of the feet, where walking pushes them inward so they can hurt.
Many warts go away on their own, but it can take months or even a couple of years. Treatment can speed that up.
Listed in Ontario’s minor ailments program as: Verrucae (warts, excluding face and genitals).
Common symptoms
- A rough, raised bump on the hands or fingers
- A hard, flat spot on the sole of the foot that hurts when you walk
- Tiny black dots in the wart (small blood vessels)
How a Kennedy pharmacist can help
Your pharmacist will look at the spot to make sure it looks like a wart and not something else, and ask about your health, since some conditions make treating feet at home unsafe.
They may prescribe a salicylic acid treatment and show you the routine that makes it work: soak, file, apply, cover, and keep going every day for several weeks. Over-the-counter freezing kits are another option, and we can tell you whether one suits your wart.
Ontario pharmacists can treat warts anywhere except the face and genitals.
If we think you’d be better served by a doctor, we’ll tell you, and help you figure out where to go.
Medicines a pharmacist may consider
- Salicylic acid liquids, gels and pads (Compound W, Dr. Scholl’s Clear Away)gradually peel away the wart; used daily for up to 12 weeks
Your pharmacist chooses based on your symptoms, age, pregnancy, allergies and other medications, so not every option is right for everyone. Brand names are examples. We often use the generic version, which works the same and usually costs less.
What it costs
The assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. It’s paid for by the province, just like a visit to your doctor.
If you’re prescribed something, the medicine is paid for like any other prescription: through your drug plan, the Ontario Drug Benefit (65+ and other eligible people), OHIP+ (under 25 without a private plan), or out of pocket.
Good to know: Most wart treatments are bought off the shelf, but some plans cover them when a pharmacist prescribes them. Bring your plan card and we’ll check.
No Ontario health card? Text or call us first and we’ll tell you the fee before we start.
When to see a doctor instead
See your family doctor, a walk-in clinic or a nurse practitioner if:
- The growth is on your face or genitals
- You have diabetes, poor circulation or numbness in your feet (don’t treat foot warts yourself)
- It bleeds, changes colour or shape, grows quickly, or you’re not sure it’s a wart
- You have a weakened immune system, or lots of warts
- It hasn’t improved after 12 weeks of treatment
Not sure? Call Health811 (dial 811) any time to speak with a registered nurse, free.