Silver nitrate applicator sticks are used for wound care, while silver nitrate solution or ointment are generally used for treating warts or skin tags. Do not use silver nitrate wart or skin tag removal products on skin wounds, cuts, or broken skin. You may be treated with silver nitrate topical in a hospital or clinic setting. Silver nitrate sticks allow easy application; however, you should avoid using them on your face or inflamed or broken skin. If your warts are sore, you may also want to avoid using silver nitrate. The studies have shown that silver nitrate treated warts are 43% more effective than a placebo treatment, however, they’ve also shown that Topical application of silver nitrate is often used in wound care to help remove and debride hypergranulation tissue or calloused rolled edges in wounds or ulcerations. It’s also an effective agent to cauterize bleeding in wounds. Silver nitrate is a highly caustic material, so it must be used with caution to prevent damage to healthy tissues.