Warts Q&A
What are warts?
Warts are non-cancerous lumps and bumps that appear on your skin's uppermost layer. They often develop in response to a viral infection in your body.
Though warts are generally harmless, they can be painful, bothersome, or cause you to feel self-conscious. Plantar warts on the bottoms of your feet can cause pain while walking or wearing shoes. Most warts resolve on their own within a year or three. If you’re concerned about warts, the expert team at A to Z Dermatology can help.
What are the different kinds of warts?
Warts vary widely in size, texture, and color. There are many kinds of warts, but the most common ones are:
- Common warts: usually on hands, may feature small dots of dried blood
- Flat warts: small bumps with a level top, usually grow in clusters
- Plantar warts: hard warts on feet bottoms, can be pushed in when you walk
Regardless of the kind of warts you have, the team at A to Z Dermatology can accurately diagnose and treat them promptly and effectively.
What is the treatment for warts?
With any kind of wart, the main focus is eliminating the virus that caused them. Your dermatologist at A to Z Dermatology may do this in several ways, based on your specific warts and your individual needs. Some of the most common treatments for warts can include the following:
- Topical treatments like salicylic acid
- Freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen
- Surgery to remove the wart
Though surgery isn’t common, your dermatologist may recommend this approach if other treatments aren’t effective.
In some cases, oral medication may be helpful in wart treatment. For example, if you have an infected wart, you may need antibiotics.
Because warts come from a virus, they can sometimes return if the virus isn't completely removed from your body. The team at A to Z Dermatology always treats warts as fully as possible to prevent their return. If your warts do come back, get treatment immediately for the best long-term results.
For advanced care in wart treatment, use the online booking tool or call A to Z Dermatology today to schedule your appointment today.
