Warts: Treatment and Removal
What is a Wart?
A non-cancerous skin growth, warts are unsightly, embarrassing and something nearly everyone hopes to avoid dealing with. However, warts are a common problem and nothing that you should be too embarrassed about. With the help of the trusted professionals at the Calabasas Dermatology Center, you’ll be able to quickly and painlessly have your warts removed.
How Does a Person Get Warts?
The virus responsible for causing warts is called the human papilloma virus (HPV). It is spread from person-to-person skin contact, but not everyone who is exposed to HPV will develop warts. Factors that increase your chances of developing warts include:
- Broken or damaged skin
- Weakened immune system
- Frequency of exposure
It usually takes about 1 month for a wart to develop after coming into contact with the HPV virus, so determining when the exposure occurred is difficult.
Types of Warts Our Calabasas Patients Should Know About
- Foot Warts – Often found on the bottom of the foot, or plantar region, foot warts are also known as plantar warts. These warts are usually flat and grow in clusters that can cause pain during walking.
- Common Warts – Also known as seed warts due to their small, black and dot-like appearance, these warts are most usually found on the fingers and hands.
- Flat Warts – These warts are thought to form from skin irritation, such as from shaving. Often growing in patches of 100-200 small, smooth warts, they are commonly contracted by children on their faces.
How to Treat Warts With the Support of a Medical Dermatologist
Any wart that is painful, fast-growing or changing in color or shape should immediately be examined by your trusted Calabasas dermatologist. However, if your primary concern with warts is aesthetic, common treatments can include:
- Freezing the wart off
- Burning the wart off
- Salicylic acid gel, bath or plaster
- Cutting the wart off (most common for plantar warts)
Don’t Live With Warts – Call Today!
At Calabasas Dermatology Center, we understand that warts can be both painful and unsightly. Our experienced and highly trained staff will treat you like a member of our own family from the moment you walk in the door. Call today to schedule an appointment to discuss your wart concerns!