What to Know about Wart Removal

The developments of warts are something that nobody wants to deal with. They can be embarrassing, painful, and very contagious. Despite the unpleasant appearance, warts are harmless, non-cancerous growths on the body. They can develop on any person of any age and may appear anywhere on the body. They occur when the human papillomavirus (HPV) comes into contact with the skin, causing an infection. Fortunately, there are several ways that warts can be removed. Here is all you need to know about removing warts.

Warts May Go Away On Their Own

While most everyone that has a wart uses some sort of wart removal method, they often will go away on their own. However, it may be months or years before the warts are gone. In the meantime, warts are able to spread to other parts of the body. For this reason, it’s recommended that those that develop warts treat them as soon as they’re noticed. This will allow you to avoid the spreading and get rid of this embarrassing infection.

Over-the-Counter Treatments Don’t Always Work

There are a variety of over-the-counter wart removal treatment options. The use of these options will usually allow you to get rid of the unwanted guest. However, these treatment options don’t always work. Some warts may be able to fight through the non-prescription strength treatment options and will remain on your body. In these situations, there is another option. A dermatologist can provide treatment methods that will allow them to remove your wart in their office. There are a number of treatments that they might try to get rid of the wart. This is the most effective and quickest way of getting rid of it.

Advanced Wart Removal Methods

If over-the-counter wart removal treatments are unsuccessful, your dermatologist will be able to remove it using a few methods. Some of the most common methods are as follows:

1. Cryotherapy– is the process of using liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the wart. It is applied with a cotton swab which is used to quickly freeze the tissue. As it thaws, the wart will fall off.
2. Cantharidin– Cantharidin is a toxic chemical compound that is painted onto the wart. Once applied, it is wrapped in a bandage for 24 hours, coming off when the bandage does.
3. Electrosurgery– Your dermatologist may also elect for a small surgical procedure. Electrosurgery is the process of burning away the wart using an electrical charge. The skin surrounding the wart is numbed with a local anesthetic before the charge is sent through a needle.
4. Curettage– Curettage may be used in conjunction with electrosurgery. In this process, the wart tissue is removed by scraping or cutting the wart away with a small, sharp spoon-shaped tool. All these methods are in-office and will result in a quick and effective removal.

Developing a wart on your body can be an embarrassing and painful experience. There are a few ways that a wart can be removed but the quickest, safest and most effective way is by visiting a dermatologist. Contact Academic and Aesthetic Dermatology Consultants if you’re in need of dermatologist san diego ca. We have a convenient book online option or call (858) 292-7525