Warts

What are warts?

A wart is a specific type of fleshy growth on the skin that comes from a viral infection. Warts come from human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmissible from person to person. You can even spread your own warts to other parts of your body if you touch them. 

Common areas for warts include your hands, feet, and genitals. Warts on your feet are called plantar warts, and they tend to be flat against the skin on the soles of your feet, while other warts are dome-shaped or lumpy. This is because they’re under the weight of your feet when you stand, which compresses them.

Genital warts are a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Genital warts can return even after they’ve gone away initially, with or without professional treatment. Though treatment doesn’t always work for genital warts, a healthy immune system can clear any type of wart over time. 

How did I get warts?

Because the virus that causes warts is contagious, it spreads through direct and indirect contact. Touching a wart is a likely way to get one yourself, but this isn’t usually how people get them. You’re more likely to pick up the virus from a shared item or shared environment. 

Plantar warts are commonly obtained in moist environments like public pools or locker rooms when you're going barefoot. To prevent them, invest in a pair of sandals or slippers as a barrier between your soles and potential viruses. You can also avoid warts by never sharing personal items, such as razors and towels, with other people. 

How are warts treated?

Eventually, your immune system gets rid of your warts, but it can take a long time. If you want to get rid of your warts more rapidly, consider professional treatment at Luminary Dermatology. Your dermatologist examines the wart and can use one of the following procedures to accelerate the wart’s disappearance:

• Topical salicylic acid
• Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen
• Pulsed-dye laser treatment
• Trichloroacetic acid
• Minor surgery

Even with treatments, a wart can take weeks or months to disappear. As you wait for your wart to go away, consider wearing clean bandages to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to yourself or others.

Call Luminary Dermatology or schedule an appointment online for more information about wart removal treatments today.