Treatment FAQ

what is the first treatment for getting a wart removed

by Avis Lehner Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Peeling medicine (salicylic acid).
Scholl's Clear Away Wart Remover, others) are usually used daily, often for a few weeks. For best results, soak your wart in warm water for a few minutes before applying the product. File away any dead skin with a disposable emery board or a pumice stone between treatments.
Apr 30, 2022

Symptoms

The procedure is as follows:

  • Cover the wart with silver duct tape for six days.
  • Soak it in water for 5-10 minutes.
  • Remove dead tissue from the wart with a pumice stone or emery board.
  • Leave wart exposed for 12 hours, to let it dry out.
  • Repeat for another 6 days until the wart is gone. The whole process may take as long as 6 months, although some see success in just 2-3 months.

Causes

  • Compound W Freeze Off safely, easily and effectively removes common and plantar warts in as few as 1 treatment
  • Freeze Off starts working instantly and is similar to the freeze method that many doctors use to remove warts
  • Ultra-precision metal tip controls the contact area to freeze off the warts

More items...

Prevention

  • Avoid touching someone’s wart. ...
  • Make sure that everyone in your home has their own towels, washcloths, razors, nail clippers, socks, and other personal items. ...
  • Clean and cover cuts and scrapes. ...
  • Wash your hands often. ...
  • Prevent dry, cracked skin. ...
  • Stop nail biting and cuticle chewing. ...

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Complications

Medications for Human Papillomavirus

  • Imiquimod. This topical medication helps eliminate warts by boosting the immune system. ...
  • Podofilox. Podofilox stops the growth of cells that cause genital warts. ...
  • Sinecatechins. Made from the extract of green tea leaves, these medications are used to treat warts on the penis, the vulva, and the outside of the anus.
  • Trichloroacetic Acid. ...

What is the best product for wart removal?

What is the best product to remove warts?

How to heal warts more quickly and prevent new ones?

What medication is used to remove warts?

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How do you prepare for a wart removal?

You may need to treat your wart at home for several days before your procedure:Clean your wart with soap and water.Apply 17% salicylic acid gel on your wart. You can instead cover the wart with 40% salicylic acid pad cut slightly larger than the wart.Leave the pad or the gel on your wart for up to 24 hours.

What should be the initial management for a new wart?

Salicylic acid and cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen are first-line treatments for cutaneous warts. Aggressive cryotherapy (10 to 30 seconds) is more effective than less aggressive cryotherapy. Best results of cryotherapy can be achieved when the patient is treated every two or three weeks.

How long does it take for a doctor to remove a wart?

To completely remove a wart, the treatments may be needed every 1 to 3 weeks for a total of 2 to 4 times. If no improvement is noted, your doctor may recommend another type of treatment. Other treatments for warts on the skin. Your doctor may choose to burn the wart, cut it out, or remove it with a laser.

How painful is wart removal?

Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure, although warts in sensitive areas may need topical pain medication. The site may feel mildly tender for up to 2 weeks.

Should I put a bandaid on a wart?

To avoid spreading warts Keep warts covered with a bandage or athletic tape. Don't bite your nails or cuticles. This may spread warts from one finger to another.

Are all warts HPV?

Warts appear when a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV) infects the top layer of the skin. There are several different kinds of warts including common warts, plantar (foot/mosaic) warts, and flat warts. All types of warts are caused by HPV.

How does a dermatologist remove a wart?

The dermatologist may remove the wart by scraping it off before or after electrosurgery. Excision: The doctor may cut out the wart (excision).

Does wart removal leave a hole?

It might even make you gag (a lot). Stay calm, though, even though the hole looks painful, it usually is not as what you are seeing is clean, new skin that has grown around the dead virus. Within a few days the foot should completely heal and the hole will have faded to a distant, unsettling memory.

Can primary doctors remove warts?

Warts are contagious and can be spread by contact with someone who has a wart or something that touched the wart. Warts can be identified by your primary care provider, but are most commonly treated by a dermatologist.

Do warts bleed when they fall off?

A: A common wart should not bleed unless it is scraped, scratched or injured in some way. If a wart bleeds without a clear cause or bleeds profusely after injury, it is important to consult a doctor without delay.

Does wart removal leave scars?

The skin around the wart is first numbed with a local anesthetic, and then the charge is applied to dry out and burn off the wart. Sometimes, the procedure can leave a scar and warts can return after treatment.

How do you take care of skin after wart removal?

The area should be washed gently once or twice a day and kept clean. A bandage or dressing should only be needed if the area rubs against clothes or may be easily injured. A scab forms and will usually peel away on its own within 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the area treated.

How to treat a wart in the skin?

A dermatologist may use one of the following treatments: 1 Cantharidin: A dermatologist may treat a wart in the office by "painting" it with cantharidin. Cantharidin causes a blister to form under the wart. In a week or so, you can return to the office and the dermatologist will clip away the dead wart. 2 Cryotherapy: For common warts in adults and older children, cryotherapy (freezing) is the most common treatment. This treatment is not too painful. It can cause dark spots in people who have dark skin. It is common to need repeat treatments. 3 Electrosurgery and curettage: Electrosurgery (burning) is a good treatment for common warts, filiform warts, and foot warts. Curettage involves scraping off (curetting) the wart with a sharp knife or small, spoon-shaped tool. These two procedures often are used together. The dermatologist may remove the wart by scraping it off before or after electrosurgery. 4 Excision: The doctor may cut out the wart (excision).

What medicine to use for warts?

Peeling medicines include salicylic acid (stronger than you can buy at the store), tretinoin, and glycolic acid. Bleomycin: The dermatologist may inject each wart with an anti-cancer medicine, bleomycin. The shots may hurt. They can have other side effects, such as nail loss if given in the fingers.

What is the best treatment for dark spots on the foot?

It can cause dark spots in people who have dark skin. It is common to need repeat treatments. Electrosurgery and curettage: Electrosurgery (burning) is a good treatment for common warts, filiform warts, and foot warts. Curettage involves scraping off (curetting) the wart with a sharp knife or small, spoon-shaped tool.

Can a dermatologist treat warts?

Although most warts are harmless, dermatologists do treat them. You should see a dermatologist if you cannot get rid of the warts, the warts hurt, or you have many warts. Dermatologists have many treatments for warts. The treatment used depends on the patient’s age and health as well as the type of wart. A dermatologist may use one of the ...

Can warts go away with immunotherapy?

A mild allergic reaction occurs around the treated warts. This reaction may cause the warts to go away. Another type of immunotherapy involves getting shots of interferon. The shots can boost the body’s immune system, which gives the body the ability to fight the virus.

Do warts return at the same site?

This means that warts can return at the same site or appear in a new spot . Sometimes, it seems that new warts appear as fast as old ones go away. This happens when the old warts shed virus cells into the skin before the warts are treated. This allows new warts to grow around the first warts.

Can you peel warts?

Chemical peels: When flat warts appear, there are usually many warts. Because so many warts appear, dermatologists often prescribe "peeling" methods to treat these warts. This means, you will apply a peeling medicine at home every day.

What is the best way to remove warts?

Unless you have an impaired immune system or diabetes, try these methods: Peeling medicine (salicylic acid). Nonprescription wart removal products such as salicylic acid are available as a patch, ointment, pad and liquid. For common warts, look for a 17 percent salicylic acid solution.

How to get rid of a wart on your skin?

File away any dead skin with a disposable emery board or a pumice stone between treatments. If your skin becomes too irritated, decrease how often you use this method to treat your wart. If you're pregnant, talk with your doctor before using an acid solution. Freezing.

What to do if salicylic acid isn't working?

If salicylic acid or freezing isn't working, your doctor may try trichloroacetic acid. With this method, the doctor first shaves the surface of the wart and then applies the acid with a wooden toothpick. It requires repeat treatments every week or so. Side effects are burning and stinging. Minor surgery.

How to diagnose a wart?

Diagnosis. In most cases, your doctor can diagnose a common wart with one or more o

How long does it take for a wart to go away?

Most common warts go away without treatment, though it may take a year or two and new ones may develop nearby. Some people choose to have their warts treated by a doctor because home treatment isn't working and the warts are bothersome, spreading or a cosmetic concern.

What is the least painful treatment for warts?

Doctors generally start with the least painful methods, especially when treating young children. Your doctor may suggest one of the following approaches, based on the location of your warts, your symptoms and your preferences. These methods are sometimes used in combination with home treatments, such as salicylic acid.

Can cryotherapy cause warts?

Side effects of cryotherapy include pain, blistering and discolored skin in the treated area. Because this technique can be painful, it is usually not used to treat the warts of young children. Other acids. If salicylic acid or freezing isn't working, your doctor may try trichloroacetic acid.

How to remove a wart?

To get a wart surgically removed, you should first consult with your doctor about the procedure. You can then prepare properly for surgery and give the affected area time to recover after surgery.

How to remove a wart without surgery?

1. Talk to your doctor about non-surgical options. Depending on where the wart is located and how large it is , you may be able to treat it without surgery. Have your doctor evaluate the wart, and discuss the possibility of using one or a combination of these non-surgical treatments to remove it: [1]

What type of surgery is used to remove a wart?

Excision involves cutting your wart away with a scalpel, electrosurgery uses an electric current to burn the wart off, and laser surgery uses a laser to burn off the wart and is best for large warts that are difficult to reach.

How to treat a wart that is not spread?

Warts are highly contagious and can spread easily from person to person. Once the wart has been diagnosed and you are waiting for surgery, cover the wart so others around you are not exposed. Use a bandage or gauze over the wart. Speak to your doctor about the best way to cover the wart.

How to get rid of a wart?

Immunotherapy. For this treatment, a chemical is applied to the wart that causes an allergic reaction . This causes your body’s immune system to attack and destroy the wart.

How long does it take for a wart to heal after surgery?

2. Allow two to four weeks for the area to heal. The exact recovery time depends on the type of surgery used and the size of the wart being removed. In general, it will take two to four weeks for the affected area to heal. You can usually return to normal activities, such as work, after one to three days.

How to treat large warts?

It is often used to treat large warts around the anus or vulva. Laser surgery, where a laser is used to burn away the wart. It is recommended for large warts that are difficult to access, such as on the bottom of your feet or in your genital area.

How long does it take for a dermatologist to remove warts?

What to expect: Your dermatologist will use a powerful light beam to break down the wart’s blood vessels. Each session takes about 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the problem’s severity.

How long does it take to recover from a wart excision?

Downtime: Recovery from wart excision depends on the lesion’s size, shape and location. You may be advised to avoid strenuous activities for 2-4 weeks to avoid trauma to the site. You may use crutches to relieve the pressure from plantar excisions.

How long does it take for a wart to dry up after cantharidin?

The wart will dry up a week after the treatment. Your doctor can clip the dead wart on follow up if it has not fallen off by then. Complications are rare after cantharidin treatment, but call your dermatologist if you experience severe bleeding, itchiness or pain. Resistant warts will require multiple sessions.

How long does it take for a wart to heal after laser surgery?

The site may feel mildly tender for up to 2 weeks. Downtime: The duration of the recovery period after laser surgery depends on the wart’s size, distribution and location. Downtime is minimal if it is small and away from the plantar areas or other frequently compressed sites. Otherwise, recovery will take a few weeks.

How long does it take for a bleomycin injection to be done?

What to expect: Your dermatologist will clean the site and inject an anti-cancer drug into the wart. It should take only a few minutes. Brief, pinpoint bleeding may occur. Bleomycin injection does not require pretreatment preparations.

How far apart should you dry up a wart?

Bleomycin responses vary, but most patients require at least 4 sessions spaced 3-4 weeks apart. Drying up of the wart indicates that the treatment is effective. The table below compares the recovery processes of the different office wart treatments that we just described. Wart Removal Procedure.

Why is smoking bad for warts?

Smoking, because it introduces free radicals and other toxins that can delay recovery.

When to stop wart medication?

According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), people need to keep using wart medication until the wart is no longer visible and looks the same as the surrounding skin. People should not be able to see any black dots or areas of grainy texture.

How long do warts last after treatment?

Due to this, warts may reoccur after treatment because the virus remains. About two⁠–thirds. Trusted Source. of warts resolve by themselves over 12⁠–24 months, leaving no scarring or side effects. However, if this is not the case, or a person wishes to remove warts quickly, various treatment options are available.

Why do butcher's warts appear on hands?

Butcher’s warts look like common warts, and they can also appear on the hands, often as multiple warts. However, they occur due to a specific strain of HPV and affect people who live or work in cold, moist environments.

What is a wart?

Treatments. Effectiveness. When to stop. Tips and prevention. When to see a doctor. Summary. Warts are harmless growths that often appear on the hands and feet. Some warts go away by themselves, but others may persist until a person gets treatment.

What causes warts on hands?

Warts are harmless skin growths that vary in appearance depending on their type. They can occur anywhere on the body but commonly affect the hands. The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes warts, which can readily spread between people in close contact.

What is a plane wart?

Plane warts are flat, skin-colored warts that commonly grow on the face, hands, and shins. People usually have multiple plane warts. Shaving may be responsible for spreading the virus on the face or legs.

How long does it take for salicylic acid to remove warts?

Daily treatment with salicylic acid removes warts within 12 weeks in 70% of cases.

What to do if you have a wart on your foot?

Should you have a wart removed in a prominent weight bearing area such as the heel or the ball of the foot, you may need the use of crutches. Pain management: Usually, Tylenol or Advil is plenty to allevate the discomfort associated with this prodecure.

Why do my feet have warts on the bottom?

The warts on the bottom of the feet run deeper because the skin in this area is thicker and develops callus. Your doctor will use a much stronger freeze therapy (cryotherapy) on those resistant warts and several treatments will be required.

Can you take Norco for warts?

Narcotic pain medication may be dispensed, however, depending on the size of the wart. This is usually a codeine based narcotic like Norco or Vicodin. For those patients that are allergic to codeine, Tramadol is commonly used. All narcotics will make you a little sleepy and goofy, or in some cases, actually wired.

How to treat warts?

Surgical excision. Your doctor might use special tools to cut off warts. You'll need local or general anesthesia for this treatment, and you might have pain afterward. Laser treatments. This approach, which uses an intense beam of light, can be expensive and is usually reserved for extensive and tough-to-treat warts.

How to remove warts from baby?

Surgical options include: Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy). Freezing works by causing a blister to form around your wart.

Can you use wart cream on the anal canal?

Side effects, such as reddening of the skin, itching or burning, and pain, are often mild. Don't try to treat genital warts with over-the-counter wart removers . These medications aren't intended for use in the genital area.

Does genital wart cream hurt?

This cream appears to boost your immune system's ability to fight genital warts. Avoid sexual contact while the cream is on your skin. It might weaken condoms and diaphragms and irritate your partner's skin. One possible side effect is skin redness. Other side effects might include blisters, body aches or pain, a cough, rashes, and fatigue.

Do warts need to be treated?

If your warts aren't causing discomfort, you might not need treatment. But if you have itching, burning and pain, or if you're concerned about spreading the infection, your doctor can help you clear an outbreak with medications or surgery.

Can HPV go away without treatment?

This test is generally reserved for women ages 30 and older. It isn't as useful for younger women because for them, HPV usually goes away without treatment.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Aakash Gupta
Symptoms
If you are experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, contact a health care provider.

Warts vary in shape and size based on its types. They are sometimes associated with pain.

They may appear as:

  • Small grainy skin growths
  • Bumps with rough or smooth surface
  • Flat areas
  • Growths with dark dots in the center

Causes

  • Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • HPV spreads by direct contact with the virus. It could also spread through:
  • Touching a wart and touching another part of the body
  • Direct contact with an infected person
  • Sharing objects and clothes with an infected person

Prevention

Wash your face twice daily

Avoid contact with greasy and oily substances

Protect your skin from sun using moisturizers and sunscreens

Avoid friction and pressure on the skin

Do not touch, prick, or scratch the affected area

Shower after strenuous activities

Learn to manage stress

Get adequate rest and sleep

Avoid Foods that trigger/worsen acne

Complications

Scarring due to some of the treatment procedures

Risk of recurrence

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Preparing For Your Appointment

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