Wart removers can go from freeze to fire
Cryogenic wart-removal products are flammable and should be used with caution.
If you're using an over-the-counter wart-removal product that removes warts by freezing them, the Food and Drug Administration says it has received a small number of reports that some of these products have caught fire and in some cases harmed consumers or their homes.
The products, typically labeled as "cryogenic wart removers," have caught fire as the consumer presses the nozzle in the pressurized container. (The labels all note the products are flammable.) While the FDA says some fires were caused because the product was too near a source of heat such as a cigarette or candle, in the majority of cases no ignition source was identified.
Cryogenic wart-removal products are sold under various brands, including Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away Wart Remover and Compound W Freeze Off. Store brands from chains such as Wal-Mart and Walgreen's usually include the word "cryogenic" on the label.
For information on how to safely use these products, go to bit.ly/warts-fda.
