General & Pediatric Dermatology
Wart Treatment in Tampa
Warts are common viral skin growths caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). They can appear anywhere on the body, spread easily, and range from mildly annoying to painful. Dr. Sergay offers multiple effective, personalized treatment options — and always discusses the pros and cons of each approach with patients and families.
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Dr. Sergay's Approach
What Are Warts?
Warts are growths that appear when the human papillomavirus (HPV) infects the top layer of the skin. They are contagious — spreading when healthy skin contacts wart particles, either directly or through shared surfaces like floors, towels, or shoes. While warts are harmless, they can grow, multiply, and spread without treatment.
There are many effective treatment options, including cantharidin, topical destructive solutions, cryotherapy, and injectable medications. Dr. Sergay will discuss the pros and cons of each approach and customize the management plan to fit your needs — taking into account the patient's age, lesion location, number, and tolerance.
Children & Adults
All ages treated
Customized Plans
Pros & cons always discussed
Know What You're Dealing With
Types of Warts
Common Warts (Verruca Vulgaris)
Rough, raised growths that typically appear on the hands, fingers, and knees. They have a rough, cauliflower-like surface and may have tiny black dots (clotted blood vessels). Most common in school-age children.
- Rough, raised surface
- Hands, fingers & knees
- Black dots visible
- Spread by skin-to-skin contact
Plantar Warts
Warts that grow on the soles of the feet, often pushed inward by body weight — causing pain when walking or standing. Can appear as a single wart or a cluster (mosaic warts). Often contracted from pool decks, locker room floors, and gym showers.
- Painful when walking
- Soles of feet
- May grow inward
- Contracted from wet surfaces
Flat Warts
Small, smooth, flat-topped warts that tend to appear in large numbers. Often found on the face, neck, hands, and legs. More common in children and teens. Can spread rapidly through shaving on the face or legs.
- Small, smooth & flat
- Appear in clusters
- Face, neck & legs
- Spread through shaving
Periungual & Filiform Warts
Periungual warts grow around or under the fingernails and toenails, can affect nail growth, and are particularly stubborn. Filiform warts are long, narrow, thread-like projections most commonly found on the face — especially around the mouth, eyes, and nose.
- Around nails or thread-like
- Can affect nail growth
- Face, eyelids & lips
- Often require targeted treatment
Effective Options
How Dr. Sergay Treats Warts
Dr. Sergay will always discuss the pros and cons of each method and customize the plan to fit your age, lesion location, and goals.
Cantharidin
A painless, in-office application of a blister-inducing solution derived from blister beetles. Applied by Dr. Sergay, covered, and washed off at home hours later. The resulting blister lifts the wart from the skin. Especially effective and well-tolerated for children.
Topical Destructive Agents
Prescription-strength salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), or other topical agents are applied to gradually destroy wart tissue over multiple sessions. Suitable for cooperative patients who need repeated home or in-office applications.
Intralesional Injections
For stubborn or recurrent warts, injectable medications — including Candida antigen (immunotherapy) or bleomycin — can stimulate an immune response that clears the HPV virus. Particularly effective for large, treatment-resistant warts that haven't responded to topical methods.
Curettage & Electrosurgery
Surgical scraping (curettage) with or without electrodessication destroys the wart tissue mechanically. Used for warts that haven't responded to other treatments, or when rapid removal is needed. Performed under local anesthesia.
10%
Of children have warts at any given time
2–4
Sessions typically needed for clearance
HPV
Caused by human papillomavirus
All Ages
Children & adults treated
For Parents
Managing Warts in Children
Warts are extremely common in school-age children and are not a sign of poor hygiene. Here's what parents should know about managing them at home and preventing spread.
Prevent Spread at Home
- Don't share towels, washcloths, or razors
- Cover warts with a bandage
- Encourage your child not to scratch or pick
- Wash hands frequently, especially after touching lesions
Prevent Spread at School & Activities
- Wear flip-flops in pool areas, locker rooms & showers
- Avoid sharing sports equipment that touches skin
- Swimming is generally fine — cover lesions if possible
- Children don't need to be kept home from school
Managing Your Child's Treatment
- Discuss options with Dr. Sergay — some are painless
- Cantharidin is a painless, popular option for young children
- Bring your child's favorite distraction to appointments
- Multiple sessions are normal — consistency leads to clearance
When to Come In
- Warts growing rapidly in number or size
- Warts on the face, genitals, or around nails
- Painful plantar warts affecting walking
- OTC treatments haven't worked after 4–6 weeks
Reassurance for parents: Warts are caused by a common virus — not by poor hygiene. They are extremely common in school-age children and do not reflect on your child's cleanliness or health. Most children who are immunologically healthy will eventually clear the HPV virus on their own, but treatment speeds up resolution and prevents further spread.
Your Dermatologist
About Amanda Sergay, MD
Board Certified
American Board of Dermatology
Specialties
Medical · Surgical · Cosmetic
Location
South Tampa, FL
Board-Certified Dermatologist · Medical · Surgical · Cosmetic
Amanda Sergay, MD is a board-certified dermatologist committed to excellence in comprehensive dermatological care. Originally from the Tampa area, Dr. Sergay received her undergraduate degree from Emory University and earned her medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
She completed her residency in dermatology at Mount Sinai St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City, where she served as Chief Resident during her final year. Her practice encompasses medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology, treating both adults and children.
Dr. Sergay has been named to Tampa Magazine's Top Docs Edition in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, and was twice named to New York Magazine's New York Rising Star list.
Awards & Recognition
Tampa Magazine Top Docs
20192020202120222023202420252026Super Doctors
Emory University
Undergraduate
Univ. of Miami Miller
Medical Degree
Mount Sinai NYC
Residency · Chief Resident
Patient Reviews
What Our Patients Say
Real Google reviews from patients who trust Dr. Sergay with their skin health.
“Dr. Sergay is personable, professional, and is a knowledgeable clinician. She listens well and makes you part of the process. I have seen her for two years for medical and aesthetic issues. I have been very satisfied with her care and have referred her to family and friends.”
Ariadne Rodriguez
6 reviews
“After what felt like a never-ending search for the right doctor to help with my skin irritations, I finally found Dr. Sergay — and what a blessing! She's not only incredibly genuine, but she also took the time to explain everything in detail so I fully understood both my issue and the solution. It's easy to see why she's made such a respected name for herself here and in New York.”
Christin Hillis
13 reviews · 2 photos
“Wonderful office, the Dr. listened to all my concerns and addressed each with good communication and ideas. My new Derm.”
Carol Gould
Local Guide · 21 reviews · 1 photo
“Now this is a medical practice done right! I love how they don't play the insurance game and are a privately owned practice. This allows them to provide top notch care and a patient experience that is hard to find anywhere else. Dr. Sergay is extremely thorough during her exams and so kind. Trust her with your care!”
Victoria Hansen
Local Guide · 123 reviews · 144 photos
“First time appointment — Dr. Sergay was amazing. Very easy to talk to and she told me the choices I had and got the procedure done. Highly recommend.”
Darren Finebloom
Local Guide · 21 reviews
“Dr Sergay is wonderful. She's deeply knowledgeable about her field, and also has a wonderful, attentive manner. She and her staff are so caring and responsive. I highly recommend.”
Dana Whiting
3 reviews
Common Questions
Wart Treatment FAQ
Yes — warts are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus) and are contagious through skin-to-skin contact or via contaminated surfaces like pool decks, gym floors, and towels. Children can spread warts to siblings or classmates through shared items or direct contact. However, many people who are exposed never develop warts — it depends on immune response. Keeping warts covered and avoiding shared towels or razors reduces spread.
Many warts in healthy children do resolve on their own over 1–2 years as the immune system clears the HPV virus. However, warts can grow, multiply, and spread during that time — particularly plantar warts, which can become painful. Dr. Sergay will discuss whether watchful waiting or active treatment makes sense for your child's specific situation, taking location, number, and age into account.
Cantharidin is a solution derived from blister beetles that is painlessly applied in-office and causes a blister to form under the wart, separating it from the skin. It's a very popular option for young children because the application is completely painless. It's been used safely in dermatology for decades. Dr. Sergay will explain how to manage the blister at home.
Most warts require 2–4 in-office treatment sessions spaced 2–3 weeks apart before clearing. Stubborn or deep plantar warts may take longer — sometimes 6+ sessions. Dr. Sergay will set realistic expectations at the first visit so you know what to plan for.
OTC salicylic acid products (e.g., Compound W) can be effective for common warts on the hands and feet when used consistently — but they require daily application for weeks to months and work best on small, superficial lesions. They are not effective for plantar warts, periungual warts, or facial warts. If an OTC treatment hasn't worked after 4–6 weeks of consistent use, a dermatology visit is the next step.
Yes — warts on the face (especially filiform warts) require special attention. Facial warts should not be treated with cryotherapy alone due to risk of scarring — Dr. Sergay will recommend the safest, most cosmetically appropriate treatment for these sensitive areas.
Get Them Gone
Schedule a Visit
Whether it's a stubborn plantar wart, spreading warts on your child, or anything in between — Dr. Sergay will find the right treatment plan. Painless options available for young children.