While they’re usually harmless, warts commonly cause discomfort and self-image issues. If you’re suspecting you have warts on your skin, you require precise clinical identification and find a treatment that adjusts to your health needs. In Texas, Dr. Samantha Robare helps patients like you get rid of their warts and regain their confidence. Keep reading this article to learn how to identify warts and the best treatment options for them.
Identifying Warts on Your Skin
Warts are noncancerous growths that develop on your skin and inside your mouth, mostly caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). They are a very common skin condition, which affects up to 10% of the population in the U.S. Warts often appear on the hands, fingers, inside of the mouth or as small, grainy growths that are rough to the touch and have black dots, which are clotted blood vessels.
Are Warts Different From Other Skin Conditions?
Many patients may confuse warts with other bumps and skin growths, as they can be mistaken for moles, skin tags, calluses, or cancerous growths. What sets warts apart from these conditions is that they are contagious, caused directly by an infection, and not by other causes like friction, genetics or allergies. They spread to many areas of your body or to other people through direct contact and shared clothes or surfaces.
Types of Warts
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4 Effective Treatment Options for Warts
Treatments for warts stimulate the immune system to fight the virus that causes the warts, destroying them in the process. Depending on your health needs and the type of warts on your skin, your provider will recommend you to choose one of these approaches:
1. Cryotherapy
During cryotherapy, the practitioner applies liquid nitrogen (around -196°C) to freeze and destroy the wart tissue. During this short procedure, the professional will pare down the surface of the wart first, then spray the liquid nitrogen, which will form ice crystals that rapture the infected cells, causing the immune system to destroy the virus.
2. Electrosurgery
Electrosurgery uses heat to cauterize the wart tissue and achieve vascular hemostasis.. At the start, the doctor will inject numbing medicine into the affected area, then use an electrical current to heat and destroy the abnormal tissue, and then the dead skin tissue is scraped away with a curette.
3. Chemical Cantharidin
The cantharidin is a vesicant agent applied by a dermatologist on the skin to develop a blister on the wart growth. By triggering this action, the blister lifts the tissue off the skin, and once it dries, the wart comes off. Within 24 to 48 hours, the intraepidermal blister detaches the lesion. The cantharidin’s effect doesn’t go beyond the epidermis, making it a non-invasive procedure that does not require downtime.
4. Surgical Excision
When a wart becomes stubborn, large, or painful, a surgical excision is recommended. During the procedure, the provider administers a local anesthetic field block, using a scalpel or a curette to cut or scrape the wart to its root and remove it. In some cases, you might need stitches to close the incision.
FAQ
How do I prevent my warts from spreading?
Doctors advise against scratching, picking, or debriding your wart, and instead, to keep it covered with a bandage, especially at public pools or gyms.
Do warts hurt?
Most warts are painless, except for plantar warts, which cause discomfort while walking.
Are warts affecting the population of Texas?
Warts are a common skin condition across the U.S, affecting children and adults. In Texas, the high prevalence of HPV (the main cause behind most cases of warts), indicates that warts are a very common issue among residents.
SFind Advanced Dermatology Treatments for Warts in Texas
If you’re seeking a board-certified dermatologist to evaluate your stubborn warts and restore skin integrity, Dr. Samantha Robare is the answer. At Magnolia Dermatology, Dr. Samantha and her team of specialized and trained professionals provide tailored dermatology treatments for patients who want healthy and good-looking skin like you. Contact us or find us in Bridgeland and Cypress, Texas, to start your warts-free journey.