Ugly and annoying, warts never seem to go away fast enough. Treating them may help speed their departure. Warts are generally harmless and often disappear on their own over time, but they're unsightly, and some, like those found on the soles of the feet, can make walking and exercise painful. Wart removal can be a challenge, but fortunately, the most effective treatments are the least invasive. Warts grow only in the epidermis, the upper skin layer. A typical wart has a raised, rough surface.