Warts are caused by a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV) and can develop on any part of the body. There are several different types of warts but the most common kind of wart is Verucca Vulgaris (common wart). Warts are usually benign (non-cancerous), however, on rare occasion, a squamous cell skin cancer can arise from a wart so it’s important to have a wart evaluated especially if it has been present for a long time.

A wart’s appearance is dependent on its location. They are usually flesh-colored and have a rough surface, but can be dark and/or flat and smooth as well. Warts, since they are caused by a virus, are slightly contagious. Warts may spread on the body since a wart is the source of a virus that can shed and “seed” other areas and it may take several months before a new wart is large enough to see.

The best way to keep new warts from forming is to treat existing warts as quickly and effectively as possible. Interestingly, some people get warts very easily while others never get them.

Since we are unable to kill the virus, there is no single perfect treatment for warts. Warts must be diligently “worn down” until they go away.

At Black Hills Dermatology and Laser Surgery Centre, we use several strategies in combination to rid our patients of all types of warts, and a patient’s key to success is committing to regular, consistent treatments, often every two weeks until resolved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Home Treatment
Self-applied salicylic acid preparations are easy to obtain and easy to use. The medication is applied at least once daily and treatment time is usually lengthy. This option works well for many people, including children, with warts on the hands or feet, however it is not appropriate for warts on the face or other delicate areas.

Cryotherapy
This consists of freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen which is very cold. This is an in-office treatment that is effective and well-tolerated by adults and older children. Liquid nitrogen destroys the uppermost part of the wart, sometimes causing a blister, resulting in a scabby layer that peels off. Again, treatments must be done frequently and regularly for best results. We usually see patients every two weeks for treatments until the wart resolves.

Electrocautery
Electrocautery uses a delicate electrical tool to “burn” the wart. It is uncomfortable and often results in scarring. This treatment is most appropriate for warts on nonfacial regions, and is not a preferred method of treatment in our clinic, as a scar may commonly follow.

Bleomycin
This is an "anti-cancer" medication that is injected directly into the wart. Treatments are painful and there are other potential side-effects. This treatment is no longer routinely performed in our clinic.

Cynosure V-Star Pulse Dye Laser
This is what we feel is the most advanced treatment for warts and clearly appropriate for lesions in many areas, especially resistant warts that have not responded to other therapies or are large in number. This laser treatment targets and destroys the blood supply of the wart which starves it. Quick, well-tolerated treatments result in a purple-black scab on the wart surface which ultimately peels off. As with other therapies, pulse dye laser is most effective with treatments given at regular and frequent intervals. In our clinic, this method of wart treatment does not cost more than other wart therapies.