Warts
Warts are a common dermatological condition that affect people of all ages. While they are generally harmless, their appearance and the discomfort they can cause often lead individuals to seek medical care.
What Are Warts?
Warts are noncancerous skin growths caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) entering the top layer of the skin. These growths occur when the virus triggers rapid cell growth, resulting in rough, raised bumps that can appear anywhere on the body.
Expert Treatment
With over 55+ years of combined experience, Core Dermatology is Denver’s trusted expert for diagnosing and treating stubborn viral skin infections.
Common Signs and Types of Warts
Common properties of warts include:
- Flesh-colored, pink, or brownish bumps on the skin.
- Rough, grainy texture that feels hard to the touch.
- Small, black pinpoints visible inside the growth (clotted blood vessels).
- Pain or tenderness when walking or applying pressure.
- Commonly found on hands, fingers, soles of feet, and face.
The 5 Main Types of Warts
- Common warts: Rough, raised bumps typically found on the hands and fingers.
- Plantar warts: Flat, hard growths on the soles of the feet that grow inward. Active Denver residents frequently encounter these due to the local popularity of indoor climbing gyms, yoga studios, and public pools where walking barefoot is common.
- Flat warts: Smaller, smoother bumps often found in large numbers on the face or thighs.
- Periungual warts: Painful growths that develop under or around the fingernails and toenails.
- Genital warts: Genital warts are spread by sexual contact. In some cases, genital warts are caused by higher risk HPV strains and may lead to precancer and cancer in these areas, including cervical cancer. Genital warts can also be treated with liquid nitrogen.
What Causes Warts?
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes warts by entering the body through tiny cuts, scratches, or areas of dry skin, where it stimulates the rapid production of hard keratin protein.
Risk Factors for Developing Warts:
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Having a weakened immune system.
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Nail-biting or picking at cuticles.
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Walking barefoot in public spaces like showers or locker rooms.
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Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
Wart Removal and Treatment Options
Over The Counter Treatments
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High Concentration of Salicylic Acid
Gradually peels away the infected skin layers over time. This treatment is inexpensive, but takes months to work and often fails on stubborn or deep warts.
Professional Medical Treatments
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Advanced Cryotherapy
The use of liquid nitrogen freezing to rapidly destroy the infected tissue. This targets the root of the virus and destroys infected tissue rapidly making it highly effective, fast-acting, and capable of removing recurrent warts permanently.
Professional Wart Removal at Core Dermatology
For stubborn, painful, or spreading growths, Core Dermatology offers advanced wart removal services at our Denver clinic. Our dermatologists utilize Advanced Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen freezing) to rapidly destroy the infected tissue. For pediatric dermatology patients, we frequently use Cantharidin (often called “Beetlejuice”), which is a painless chemical blister application ideal for sensitive skin. When warts are resistant to standard care, we employ Pulsed-Dye Laser Therapy to cut off the blood supply feeding the wart, or Curettage and Electrosurgery for precise surgical scraping and burning to ensure complete removal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Warts
Are warts contagious?
Yes, warts are highly contagious. They spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching contaminated surfaces like towels or gym locker room floors.
Does insurance cover wart removal?
Yes, most major insurance plans in Colorado cover wart removal if the warts cause pain, bleeding, or restrict daily activities.
How long does cryotherapy take to work?
Blistering or scabbing usually occurs within a week, and the wart typically falls off within 3 to 4 weeks. Stubborn warts may require multiple sessions.
How can I prevent warts?
It is difficult to prevent warts on the body. If you have a wart, do not pick at it. Do not shave over areas with warts, as shaving can spread the wart virus. Try to keep your hands and feet dry, moist skin is more likely to spread the wart virus.
To prevent sexually transmitted warts on the genitalia it is important to use condoms and to avoid sex with anyone with signs of genital warts.