Treating Your Warts

Warts are usually harmless and benign, but seeking treatment to prevent them from spreading is best. Several effective methods are available for safely eliminating warts. The experienced dermatologists at the Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Diseases in Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta & Cumming, GA, treat warts and will develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to your needs. 

Causes of Warts

Warts are small growths on the skin's surface caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus prompts the body to overproduce keratin in the top layer of the skin, which results in the development of warts. Some ways people contract the virus that causes warts include:

• Coming into contact with the skin of a person who has warts
• Touch a contaminated object, such as using someone’s towel or wearing their shoes
• The virus enters through a cut, scrape, or other break in the skin
• Skin that remains moist, damp, or wet is more likely to get infected since the virus thrives in areas that are warm and moist 

Types of Warts

Warms commonly develop on the hands and feet but can form anywhere on the body. There are many types of warts, and each type usually develops in specific body areas. Types of warts include:

• Plantar warts — Usually appear on the heels or balls of the feet 
• Flat (plane) warts — Develop on the hands and face 
• Common warts — Form on any part of the face or body
• Periungual and subungual warts — Develop near the fingernails or toenails
• Filiform warts — Found on the neck, face, lips, or eyelids
• Genital warts — Form around the pubic and genital areas 

Treatments for Warts  

Several effective options for treating warts include over-the-counter products that remove warts by freezing or exfoliating them with salicylic acid. If over-the-counter products have not successfully removed the warts after a month or more, it is best to see a dermatologist for treatment. 

The skilled dermatology providers at offices in Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta & Cumming, GA, treat warts in the office using any one of the following methods:

• Injections — Medication is injected directly into the wart, stimulating the immune system to fight the virus causing the wart.
• Cryotherapy — Liquid nitrogen is applied to the wart to freeze it off.  
• Electrosurgery — An electric current destroys the keratin tissue, forming the wart.

Even if a wart is not causing discomfort, treatment is important to prevent the wart from spreading. Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist at the Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Diseases in Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta & Cumming, GA, for the treatment of warts by calling (770) 751-1133 for the Roswell, GA, office, (770) 664-5225 for Alpharetta, GA, (770) 844-1902 for Cumming, GA, and (404) 252-4333 for Sandy Springs, GA today.