Wart
Removal
What are warts?
Warts are skin growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)
infection. They are contagious spreading from one individual
to another by a variety of mechanisms, from direct contact
to aerosol spray. They are frequently body part specific
(such as the hands or the feet) without spreading to other
areas. Many warts seem to come and go at their own leisure.
Others (venereal) are notorious for lasting a lifetime.
What are some types of common warts?
- Dome-shaped warts appear on the backs of fingers, toes, and
knees.
- Mosaic warts: Tiny, so-called "seed warts" can
proliferate by the dozens or hundreds all over the sole of
the foot or hands.
- Flat warts: These are small, flat, flesh-colored pimples
and may be numerous on one part of the body (for example on
the face, arms, or groin).
- Plantar warts are found on the bottom of the foot (the
"plantar" part of the foot).
- Periungual warts are warts around or under the nail.
- Filiform warts typically appear as a single long stalk,
often on the face.
- Genital warts are transmitted during sexual contact and
appear around the penis, vagina or anus.
What are some common treatments?
Salicylic acid preparations
Salicylic acid is a keratolytic medication, which means it
dissolves the protein (keratin), which makes up most of both
the wart and the thick layer of dead skin that often tops
it. It generally is recommended that salicylic acid not be
used in people with diabetes or in areas where there is poor
circulation.
Freezing
Aerosol sprays or liquid nitrogen freeze warts, causing
localized frost bite at the treatment site.
Podophyllin
Podophyllin is a plant extract that is extremely caustic. It
is used primarily for venereal warts.
Current technology
For years practitioners have used classic laser surgery to
burn and destroy the wart tissue. Newer advances in laser
technology targets the chromophore (the vascular component
of the wart) shrinking down the tiny blood vessels that
supply the wart and keep it alive, eventually starving the
wart of blood and nutrients. The virus dies and the wart
disappears. This procedure is virtually painless and many
times an anesthetic is not necessary.
Call or visit Indian
Shores Walk-In Clinic today. Phone: (727) 517-1500
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
20001 Gulf Blvd., Suite 7, Indian Shores, FL 33785 |
