Warts

Warts are round, raised growths on the skin can are caused by a virus. A wart can appear on its own or in a cluster of other warts.

There are different types of warts that are generally seen on different parts of the body. Common skin warts can present anywhere on the body, and these warts are seen most often on the finger, hands, knees, and elbows. Periungual warts are common skin warts that are found around the fingernails. Plantar warts are warts that are on the bottoms of feet. Flat warts are warts that are usually on the face, lower legs, and backs of hands.

Warts can spread if another person touches a wart or shares objects that have the wart virus on them.

What is the treatment?

• Topical medications: Your dermatologist can prescribe a special compounded paste or recommend over the counter salicylic acid treatments that can help clear the warts. Your dermatologist can also apply a solution called cantharidin with instructions to wash it off in a certain time frame to help treat the wart.
• Cryotherapy: Warts can be frozen with liquid nitrogen to encourage the body’s immune system to come attack the wart virus. Most warts require multiple treatments to see a significant response.
• Shave removal: Based on the size of the wart and likelihood of responding to topical treatments or cryotherapy, your dermatologist might decide to numb the area and shave the wart off completely.
• Injection: A medicine can be injected into the wart to help encourage the body to fight the virus causing the wart.

If you have warts or suspect you might have warts, our dermatologists can help determine the best treatment plan for you.