Wart Treatment

The reality is that there isn’t a one size fits in Wart Treatment. Each wart treatment will react differently to each individual patient.

Warts will often disappear on their own without treatment, and this typically the case in small children, however adults usually do not have quite as much luck.

Your immune system is responsible for eradicating warts.

Wart treatments will more often than not end up leaving the skin with inflammation and irritation prompting your immune system to kick into gear and cure your wart.

Understanding Warts

Warts do not pose a serious health risk. They are skin growths which appear when the top layer of skin is infected by a virus.

The most common virus responsible for warts is called the human papillomavirus or (HPV) for short.

Wart viruses are highly contagious and spread through contact with the wart itself or a part of your body that touched the wart.

A little known fact is that something as simple as shaving can cause warts to spread in your shaving area.

Warts are usually rough and skin-colored, but can also exhibit dark (gray-black or brown), smooth or flat qualities.

Types of Warts

Common Warts

Sometimes referred to as verruca vulgaris, they can appear anywhere on the body.

Genital warts

Known by the medical term of “condyloma acuminata”, are transmitted sexually, and occur on the anal area, groin, and genitals.

Plantar warts

These common warts can usually be found on the soles of your feet.

Flat warts

These commonly occur on your face and limbs.

HPV and Cancer

A few types of the sexually transmitted disease HPV or human papillomavirus may cause genital warts. Some other types, referred to as “high-risk” or oncogenic HPVs, may also cause cancer to appear.
High-risk HPVs are responsible for almost all cervical cancer and also cause the most common anal cancers, along with penile, vaginal, and oropharyngeal (mouth) cancer.
Usually infections involving high-risk HPVs do not result in cancer. Many HPV cases are cured on their own within 2 years. But, there are infections that can last much which increases an individuals risk of developing cancer.

Types of Wart Treatments

Pittsburgh’s best dermatologists at the Golla Center for Dermatology can use one or more of these wart treatment:

Cryotherapy

Controlled application of liquid nitrogen causes the wart to freeze. You may experience some mild discomfort, however anesthesia is rarely necessary. This treatment usually must be repeated.

Electrosurgery and Curettage

In essence, burning and scraping the wart under local anesthesia.

Laser

When warts are more difficult to treat, a pulsed-dye laser can be an effective option.

Chemotherapy

Bleomycin, is only used in the must stubborn cases as it can be extremely painful afterward.

Imiquimod (Aldara)

This topical cream can activate certain cells in your skin designed to attack and destroy the virus. It is usually used to treat genital warts but does not work particularly well on individuals who have thick skin where most common types of warts occur.

Salicylic Acid

This works by dissolving surface layers your skin, so warts can be rubbed off. This solution is safe for use on children’s warts as well but can take months to show results.

Duct Tape

Is a “do it yourself” remedy that keeps the wart soft so it can be easily rubbed off later. Duct Tape may also be used to compliment medications, like salicylic acid, to improve their effectiveness.

Folk Remedies

Thousands of these remedies exist and many people swear by them. Although these folk remedies may work a little, it is because these “remedies” cause some amount of inflammation on the skin, prompting your immune system to start to clean up. There is also a placebo effect to these which can cause your immune system to act up.

Your team of expert Dermatologists at the Golla Center for Dermatology, are ready to advise you on the best remedy to cure your warts in Pittsburgh! Contact us today for an appointment.

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