2023 Wart Guide 

Warts are very common and are generally harmless. However, they can sometimes cause discomfort or appear in places where you’d rather they weren’t, such as on your face, neck, hands, or other exposed areas.

There are many different types of warts, all of which are caused by a virus, known as the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Warts are benign growths and it’s not 100% understood why they appear or why some people are more susceptible.

Some people are happy for them to be left alone, whereas others want them removed for cosmetic reasons. Whatever camp you fall into, the following will help provide the information you need to better understand the condition, as well as explain the latest wart treatment on offer.

The Ultimate Wart Guide: everything you want to know but were too embarrassed to ask about warts and verrucae

• Wart guide: the 5 main types
• 2023 wart treatment

Wart guide: the 5 main types

The first thing to understand about warts is that, although there are many different kinds, they all stem from the HPV virus. This has over 150 different strains, some of which are associated with more serious conditions, including cervical cancer.

However, when it comes to warts, it’s important to stress that these are NOT cancer. Although often unsightly, most don’t cause any other issues apart from, very often, spreading. Warts can be highly contagious. This makes it important not to touch them and then touch other parts of your body without washing your hands. 

The 5 main types of warts are as follows:

• Verruca vulgaris (AKA common warts): These are raised bumps and lumps on the skin, often with an irregular surface, a little like cauliflower. They can occur anywhere on the body but are most common on the hands and fingers. 
• Plantar warts (or foot warts): These look like small calluses and, because of the pressure of walking, can become quite thick and hard.
• Filiform warts: Often found on the face, around the eyes, nose, mouth, and neck, these are thin, almost spiky warts that can appear and spread very quickly.
• Flat warts: As the name suggests, these are relatively flat. They are small and tend to appear in clusters—sometimes up to 100 or more.
• Genital warts: Occurring in the genital areas, these are usually benign even though they can be distressing.

2023 wart treatment

Wart treatment begins with getting an expert dermatological assessment. Once it (or they) has been checked, your clinician will advise on the best treatment. In some cases, this will be nothing at all. If removal is recommended, this can be carried out in a variety of ways:

• Cryotherapy: The wart is frozen with liquid nitrogen, causing it to scab over and fall off after a few days. It’s highly targeted, meaning the surrounding skin isn’t affected. There are now very advanced forms of this, with special instruments used to accurately treat the wart only, without spilling over onto the surrounding skin.
• Electrical current and laser therapy: This has the same effect as cryotherapy, although it uses the energy from a laser to “kill” the wart. It might also affect a small number of surrounding cells.
• Topical solutions: A solution containing salicylic acid is applied to the warts. Again, this causes them to scab over and drop off.

Genital warts require specific treatment that’s best carried out by a gynecologist.

Worried About Warts? Contact Bayou City Dermatology Today

Wart treatment at Bayou City Dermatology is fast, painless, effective, and discreet. Because all our clinicians are board-certified dermatologists, you can rest assured that you’re in the safest of hands. Wherever on your body your warts might be, your treatment will include a full analysis and explanation of the type of wart/s you have and how they’ll be removed.

Don’t worry about your warts a moment longer. Visit https://www.bayoucitydermatology.com/services for more information and call today to book your private consultation