Your dermatologist can usually tell if you have warts by looking at them.
If a wart is growing quickly, looks like an open wound, or doesn’t go away with treatment, your dermatologist may do a skin biopsy.
During this test, they will numb the area and take a small piece of the wart. This can be done in the office while you are awake.
A skin biopsy helps your dermatologist figure out if it’s a wart or something else.
How Do Dermatologists Treat Non-Genital Warts?
Most warts are not harmful and often disappear on their own.
But without treatment, it can take months or even years for them to go away.
Treatment can help:
– Get rid of warts faster.
– Reduce the chance of spreading the virus that causes warts to others or to other parts of your body.
– It’s easier to treat warts when there are fewer of them and they are smaller.
You might be able to treat warts at home with over-the-counter products you can buy online or in a store.
But you should see a board-certified dermatologist if you have:
– Warts on your face or genital area.
– A wart that changes, hurts, itches, burns, or bleeds.
– Many warts.
– Doubts about whether you have a wart.
– Tried home treatment and still have the wart.
– A weakened immune system (such as from cancer, HIV, or after an organ transplant).
– Diabetes.
Keep in mind that in some cases, treatment may not be advised.
When treatment is needed, dermatologists have several options.
Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following:
Salicylic Acid Is A Common Treatment For Warts
It works by Wart Removal in Singapore. You can use it at home for:
– Common warts
– Plantar warts
– Flat warts (not on the face)
Over-the-counter wart treatments often contain salicylic acid.
Your dermatologist may suggest one of these products or a stronger prescription version.
You usually apply salicylic acid once a day, after softening the wart.
To soften a wart, you can soak or bathe it in warm water.
When using salicylic acid, your dermatologist may tell you to:
– Soften the wart.
– Apply salicylic acid to the wart.
– Cover the treated area with duct tape or a bandage.
– Leave the tape or bandage on overnight or for 24 hours, then remove and repeat.
Only cover the wart if your dermatologist recommends it.
– Remember that it takes time to see results.
Your dermatologist might also suggest another treatment, like cryosurgery (freezing), which is explained below.
As salicylic acid works on the wart, the surrounding skin may become sore.
If this happens, stop treatment for a few days and try again when it feels better.
Possible side effects include irritated skin and a stinging sensation where you apply the product.