Warts on the neck: why they appear and how to treat them

The number of medical consultations for neck warts has increased in recent years. Although generally harmless, it's important to understand why they appear and when it's necessary to consult a specialist. Here, we explain everything you need to know, debunking myths and offering expert advice.

What are warts on the neck?

Dermatologists describe neck warts as small bumps that develop on the skin. Most are benign and can disappear spontaneously over time. The most common cause is a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Why do they appear on the neck?

While any type of wart can appear on the neck, the most common are filiform warts, also known as skin tags. These benign warts originate when cells in the superficial layer of the skin multiply excessively, thickening and forming these small, brown bumps.

These types of lesions can appear due to a virus and are more common and persistent with age, although they are also related to being overweight, genetic predisposition, or hormonal problems. They can also appear singly or in clusters.

Although they don't itch or hurt, it's advisable, especially if there are many or they're very large, to consult a dermatologist to rule out any potential danger.

If the warts on the neck are benign and don't cause discomfort, the dermatologist probably won't recommend any treatment, as they usually disappear over time without any intervention. If the patient decides to treat them for cosmetic reasons, there are several treatments that may work.

We must always carefully assess whether or not to treat them based on the severity of the impact on our quality of life. As stated by the Healthy Skin Foundation of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, "it has been proven that at least 60% of lesions resolve within two years if we let them develop freely," and without leaving a scar, something that can occur when we resort to overly aggressive treatment.

Treatment is only recommended if the warts are in high-risk areas, such as the genitals.

The most common treatments for warts on the neck are:

- Salicylic acid: This can be done at home and is usually very effective, although you must be consistent with the treatment, which can be prolonged over time.

- Topical treatment with silver nitrate + potassium nitrate.

- Cantharidin: This is a topical treatment applied to the lesion and removed after three or four hours. It is usually effective with just two sessions in 7% of cases.

- Cryotherapy: This involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen. It's quite aggressive, can be painful, and often leaves scars, so it's only recommended for very large or persistent warts.

- Electrocoagulation: This technique uses electric current to coagulate the tissue that needs to be removed. It's an aggressive procedure that must be performed by a professional. Because it's painful, it requires anesthesia and postoperative care and often leaves scars.