Tired of those pesky warts?
Dr. Maulik Dhanda, a dermatologist at Dignity Health Woodland Clinic, provides an overview of wart treatment and how to prevent them from forming in the first place.
What causes warts?
“Warts are usually flesh-colored, rough-textured skin growths caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are highly contagious and can be caused by direct contact, small cuts in the skin, or contact with the wart. ” — Dr. Danda.
What types of warts are there?
Common warts: They look like rough bumps with black dots and are commonly found on the hands, fingers, and around the nails. Flat warts: They have a smooth texture and can occur anywhere, including on the face. Usually multiple Foot warts: Usually clustered on the plantar surface of the foot and can be painful, overlapping black dots Filiform warts: Usually long, hanging from stalk-like growths; Usually on the face Genital warts: Usually transmitted through sexual activity and can be a precursor to skin cancer
How are warts treated?
“Warts are resistant and often require multiple treatments to get rid of.” — Dr. Dhanda
Common treatments include:
Cantharidin: Apply the antigen to the wart and cover it with a bandage. It then blisters and washes away Cryotherapy: freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen Immunotherapy: injecting candida antigens into the area to trigger an immune system response to fight the wart Electrosurgery and curettage: removing skin tissue Skin treatments that involve scraping or burning
What are some quick tips to keep them away?
Don’t touch or pick warts Don’t use the same nail tools (emery boards, pumice stones, or nail clippers) on warts that you would use on healthy skin or nails Don’t bite your nails Avoid shared bathtubs, showers, or warm baths Avoid sharing towels or towels Avoid brushing, clipping, or shaving the wart area Use daily moisturizer on your hands Get HPV vaccination to prevent high-risk genital warts
References:
1) https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/az/warts-overview
2) Dermatology. 4th edition. Bologna et al.
3) Dermnet.nz
If you are concerned about the appearance of warts, skin spots or moles, you can schedule an appointment with your doctor in person or online. Our Find a Doctor tool helps you find a Dignity Health Medical Group provider near you.
