Warts are usually harmless and often go away on their own. Unfortunately, sometimes it can take months or even years for warts to disappear. Plus, without proper treatment, warts can return. Many patients seek treatment for warts to stop their spreading or for cosmetic reasons.
At Jordan Valley Dermatology Center in South Jordan, Utah, our skin specialists know how to remove warts as painlessly as possible and keep them from spreading. Dr. Forsha and his team of dedicated professionals provide an integrative approach to wart treatments, understanding the importance of a personalized care plan.
Fortunately, warts are benign skin growths, but they can be painful depending on where they occur on the body. Warts appear when skin cells grow faster than they should because the cells are infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Here are some common types of warts:
This is the most common type of wart. These are mainly found on the fingers, on the face, and under the nail plate. They range in size from a pinhead to a pea and often look rough and scaly.
Plantar warts typically grow on the soles of your feet. They develop deep under the skin and can cause considerable pain when walking. Typically, a plantar wart is flush against your skin, but it might feel like walking on pebbles.
Flat warts are flat and only a few millimeters in size. They are often found on the face and hands. Flat warts primarily impact children and adolescents and can occur in large numbers in clusters of 20-100.
Dr. Forsha can recognize warts by their appearance. Depending on your treatment plan and preferences, we can treat warts in our office, or you can treat them at home.
Common warts can be treated at home with over-the-counter (OTC) substances such as salicylic acid. It’s affordable and has minimal risk of side effects. You can find salicylic acid in gels, liquids, or patches.
Alternatively, the wart can be frozen with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy). Dr. Forsha applies the liquid nitrogen to the affected area, so the wart tissue dies and falls off on its own within a few days.
Cryotherapy is performed in our office using liquid nitrogen at a temperature of –320 F. For stubborn warts, this is more effective than self-treatment.
Dr. Forsha has blistering agents which can be applied to warts, causing them to blister off.
Candin and immune sensitizers can help boost immunity against the wart virus.
For stubborn warts that aren’t responding to other treatment methods, prescription drugs like retinoids or antiviral medications can kill the virus or stop the wart from growing.
Another treatment method for warts is surgery. This minor procedure cuts or scrapes away the affected area.
Although warts aren’t harmful, they are incredibly contagious. Don’t share towels or clothing, and make sure to wash well between fingers and toes to prevent spreading as much as possible. If you notice any warts that bleed or grow quickly, call Jordan Valley Dermatology Center for an appointment as soon as possible.
