What is the common treatment for warts?

Cryotherapy, or freezing, is commonly used to treat warts because it effectively destroys the tissue of the wart and stimulates the body's immune response to fight the virus responsible for the wart. During this procedure, liquid nitrogen is applied to the wart, causing it to freeze and then eventually slough off as the skin heals. This method is particularly beneficial because it's minimally invasive and can be performed in a clinician's office with little downtime for recovery.

Topical steroids are generally used to reduce inflammation and treat skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, not viral infections like warts. Antibiotic ointments target bacterial infections and do not have an effect on warts, which are caused by a virus, specifically the human papillomavirus (HPV). Surgical removal may be utilized in more persistent cases, but it is usually considered a more aggressive treatment option and not the first line of defense against warts. Cryotherapy remains the most widely used and effective method for wart treatment, making it the appropriate choice in this context.