Over-the-counter: $35
Intralesional or pulsed dye laser therapy in the cosmetic clinic: $180-$350
3-4 visits of cryotherapy procedure: $620

Removal of warts costs vary depending on the size and number of them, their location on the body, and the removal method used. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus and can be contagious or cause irritation and pain; removal is usually covered by health insurance.

Removing common warts usually costs $30 or less when treated at home with over-the-counter medication.
Wart removal with intralesional immunotherapy, a relatively new technique that usually necessitates three treatments, typically costs around $180.
Laser wart removal usually costs about $360 for pulsed dye laser therapy, which usually requires one to three treatments.
Removing warts with cryotherapy or freezing usually costs $610. This cost includes the initial visit and three to four follow-up treatments.

What should be included

Most over-the-counter medications use salicylic acid and come in various forms – gel, liquid, hard stick and stick-on strips or pads.
In intradermal immunotherapy, the doctor injects an antigen into the wart, stimulating the immune system to destroy the virus causing the wart. If the patient has other warts, they will also often disappear.
In pulsed dye laser therapy, the doctor uses the laser to cauterize the blood vessels that feed the wart; deprived of blood supply, the wart usually falls off.
In cryotherapy, the doctor sometimes peels off the skin over the wart, then applies the liquid nitrogen to the wart for 10 and 30 seconds and a bandage. Cryotherapy is usually used to treat plantar warts on the sole that have grown inward because of pressure from walking and often to treat regular warts.

Additional costs

Treating multiple warts can be more expensive – sometimes three times as expensive, depending on the type of treatment.
Not all treatments are effective, and sometimes several treatments have to be performed before complete removal can be achieved. Sometimes the chemotherapy drug Bleomycin is used as a last resort to treat warts that do not respond to other treatments. Usually, only one treatment is needed, and the cost is about $490.

Discounts

Tip: For less than $10, the silver duct tape can be used at home to remove a wart without any expensive medical treatment, not on the genitals or face, and it can take up to two months. The Canadian Academy of Family Physicians gives the following instructions.

Foot warts often disappear on their own if left untouched, but it can take months or years.

Shopping for wart removal

Sometimes warts can be treated on their own with over-the-counter remedies, but this can take weeks or months. People with diabetes or other serious medical conditions, or those who fear scarring at the wart site, should see a doctor. Shoppers or any other drug store offer a variety of over-the-counter products.

Warts can also be professionally removed by a therapist or dermatologist. Genital warts should always be treated by a specialist. Consult your general practitioner for treatment. Also, the Canadian Academy of Dermatology offers a list of certified dermatologists in Canadian cities.

The material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist about medications or medical procedures.