Warts are not pretty. They have a tendency to appear where they are most visible (of course) and they can be embarrassing. Even worse, warts are contagious, which can make you even more self-conscious when you have one. With the exception of genital warts, they are not dangerous, and most will clear up on their own within a few months or years. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with warts, though. Wart removal and treatments are available and they are minor procedures.
What Are Warts?
Warts are tumors, or skin growths, caused by the human papillomavirus. Warts occur when your skin comes into contact with the virus. They most commonly develop in areas where the skin is broken, because the break allows the virus to enter the skin.
Types of Warts
There are a few different types of warts. Most are not dangerous, but there are a few things to watch out for. Also, if warts appear on or around your genitals, you should contact your dermatologist.
Common Warts – Often found on the toes and fingers. These are characterized by their rounded top.
Flat Warts – Often found on the face, arms, or thighs. Characterized by their flat top, these warts are not as noticeable as other types.
Filiform – Often found near the nose or mouth or on the neck. Their flap-like appearance resembles a skin tag.
Periungal – Often found around or under the fingernails or toenails. These can be painful.
Plantar – Often found on the soles of the feet. Plantar warts grow into the skin and often appear to be a small hole surrounded by hardened ski. When pressure is applied to the wart it can be painful, making it difficult to walk.
Wart Treatments and Wart Removal
There are several treatments and methods for removal available. Treatments include topical creams and solutions, freezing, injections, and minor surgery. None of these treatments are dangerous. The type of treatment depends on the type and location of the wart.
Topical Creams – There are several creams on the market designed to treat warts. These soften the skin so that the wart can be rubbed off, disrupt the wart’s skin growth, or blister the skin under the wart to lift it off the skin.
Cryosurgery – This involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen. While cryosurgery can be momentarily painful, the application usually takes less than a minute.
Surgical Curettage – An anesthetic is used to numb the area around the wart, then a sharp tool is used to remove the wart.
Injection Therapy – Bleomycin is used to inhibit the growth of the affected skin cells. Candida Antigen can also be used to stimulate the immune system in the area of the wart.
Wart Removal Dermatologist in Sandy
When choosing a dermatologist to treat or remove your warts, you have plenty of choices. One good way to find a dermatologist is to ask your trusted family doctor to recommend someone. You can also visit a dermatologist and inquire about their credentials. A good doctor will be happy to discuss this with you.
One way or another, you should feel comfortable with your doctor and they should express genuine interest in your well-being. If not, or if they act like they’re hurrying you through the appointment, it’s probably time to look at other options.
If you live in Draper, Riverton, Bluffdale, South Jordan, or any of the other surrounds areas give us a call! Contact TrueSkin Dermatology in Sandy Today!