What Are Warts?
A wart is a small, fleshy growth on the skin caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV. A type of non-cancerous growth, it’s typically painless. Depending on where it’s located, such as on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet, a wart can make daily tasks like walking painful. Warts are contagious and can spread from one area of the body to another, as well as from person to person.
How Do I Get Rid of Warts?
Warts are usually harmful and generally disappear on their own. In fact, studies have found that about 50% of warts go away within a year. However, treatment is sometimes needed to reduce virus shed and to lower the risk of recurrence. So, here are the top treatment options for warts.
There are many proven in-office medical treatments for wart removal. Common options include:
- Cryotherapy: This involves freezing the wart using liquid nitrogen. Usually three to four treatments are needed to get rid of the wart completely. Afterwards, applying salicylic acid helps to promote increased skin peeling.
- Prescription drugs: Topical immunotherapy and chemotherapy drugs can be used to get rid of warts.
- Curettage: This involves zapping or cutting the wart to remove it. Curettage is reserved for warts that don’t respond to less invasive treatments. Therefore, it shouldn’t be used on certain parts of the body.
How Can I Prevent Them?
The key to preventing warts is to minimize your exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the underlying cause of warts. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent warts from forming, including:
- Practicing good hand hygiene by washing your hands often
- Keeping your feet clean and dry
- Wearing foot protection when barefoot in areas that are shared, such as community showers
- Not biting or picking the nails
- Avoiding sharing personal items
- Not touching warts on yourself or others
- Boosting your immunity through healthy lifestyle choices
Where Can I Get the Best Wart Removal in Arlington?
If you’re looking for the best wart removal in Arlington from an outstanding provider with glowing reviews, choose board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marjan Yousefi. To schedule an appointment, contact us today at 703-255-5070.
