Common warts

Diagnosis

In order to diagnose a common wart, a doctor may visually inspect and examine the bumps. They may also perform a procedure to scrape off the top layer of the wart in order to look for the presence of black, pinpoint spots or occluded blood vessels, which are common characteristics of warts.

Occasionally, the doctor may need to perform a biopsy of a skin growth to confirm the presence of HPV. This involves removing a small section of the wart and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. This procedure can also help the doctor to eliminate the possibility of other types of skin growths.

Treatment

Warts frequently disappear on their own once the immune system has defeated the virus. However, new ones may appear in the same part or other parts of the body. It usually takes 1-2 years for common warts to disappear. The treatment aims to either eliminate the wart or to induce an immune system response to fight the infection.

The treatment for common warts depends on factors such as the location of the warts, the severity of symptoms, and the patient’s personal preference. While some people may attempt home remedies, others may prefer to seek treatment from a physician if their warts are painful, spreading, or aesthetically unappealing and have not responded to self-care measures.

Warts tend to return or spread even after treatment. Treatment could last weeks or months. Doctors usually begin with the least painful procedures, especially with children. Natural remedies such as salicylic acid may be used in combination with the following treatments:

• Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid is a chemical that dissolves warts layer by layer. Salicylic acid is more effective when paired with freezing. These products are available in liquid, gel, and patch form. To totally remove the wart, one may need to use the treatment every day for several months.
• Freezing (cryotherapy): This procedure uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill aberrant tissue. It causes a blister to grow beneath and around the wart. The dead tissue then sloughs off within a week or so. This technique may also boost the immune system’s ability to battle viral warts.

The common side effects include discomfort, blistering, and discolored skin in the treated area. Patients will certainly require additional treatments after this procedure.

• Other acids: Trichloroacetic acid may be recommended if freezing or salicylic acid cannot resolve the warts. This treatment is repeated every week or so. The acid is administered using a wooden toothpick. The doctor may need to shave the surface of the wart prior to applying the acid.
• Laser treatment: This procedure cuts off the wart’s blood supply, destroying it. When the infectious tissue dies, the wart falls off. A pulsed-dye laser is used during this treatment. However, there is limited studies to support the effectiveness of this treatment.
• Minor surgery: In some cases, surgery may be recommended to remove the warts and the affected tissue. It is important to note that this procedure may result in scarring.