Wondering how to get rid of warts? Here’s what you should know about DIY wart removal vs. seeing a wart removal doctor, and how freezing a wart works.
Warts: What Are They?
A wart is a skin growth caused by viruses in the human papillomavirus (HPV) category. Extra skin cell growth is triggered by the HPV virus, and a thick, dome-like, rough lump appears — most commonly on the hands, feet, genitals, or face.
Just because you’re exposed to HPV doesn’t mean you’ll get a wart. Those most susceptible are people with skin conditions like eczema, nail biters or hangnail biters, and those with underdeveloped or compromised immune systems. Warts are contagious and can be spread to other parts of your body or another person’s. There are several kinds of warts, including common warts, plantar warts, flat warts, filiform warts, and genital warts.
Warts are typically harmless, but they’re unsightly, can be uncomfortable, and most of us want to get rid of them as soon as possible. Not only are they unpleasant, but they’re also contagious, so it’s best to seek wart removal options.
7 Effective Wart Removal Treatments (and One Really Bad Idea)
Your options for how to get rid of warts include some DIY wart removal remedies and treatments provided by a wart removal doctor. Drugstores carry some treatments, and dermatologists are qualified to remove warts. Wart removal treatments work by dissolving the infected skin, cutting or freezing it, or boosting the immune system’s response, staving off future occurrences of warts. If you want to treat your warts at home, you can try the following:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments: These include peeling products with salicylic acid, which dissolves warts and can take several months to be effective.
- Duct tape: Soak and sand the surface of the wart and apply silver duct tape over the wart. Repeat as needed; while results are mixed, some people’s warts disappear after about a month.
You can also get warts treated by a wart removal doctor. Medical professionals have more options for safe wart removal than you do at home. These options include:
- Freezing: Cryosurgery freezes a wart with liquid nitrogen, destroying the infected skin. It can take a few sessions to be effective and can sting.
- Cantharidin: This liquid painted over the wart will cause a blister to form. After about a week, the blister will fall off, taking the wart with it.
- Electrosurgery: Burning the wart with a laser or electric charge will cause the wart to scab and fall off.
- Curettage: The wart is sliced out or scraped off with a blade.
- Prescription creams or injections: These remedies can boost the immune response to warts, staving off recurrences.
While the remedies outlined can be effective, it is a really bad idea to try to cut a wart off yourself. You risk hurting yourself or causing an infection. Attempting to cut off your own wart can cause the wart to grow back or even spread. It’s best to stick with safe at-home remedies, or even better, seek urgent care wart removal at American Family Care.
American Family Care: For Urgent Care Wart Removal
If you’re wondering, “Where can I get a wart removed?” look no further than your local American Family Care. It’s best to seek medical attention for your wart removal if your warts don’t respond to DIY home remedies, cause pain, are embarrassing, if the warts are numerous, or if you have a compromised immune system. Most warts are harmless, but if you suspect your skin condition is something less benign, like skin cancer, seek the advice of the medical professionals at our friendly and accessible clinics.
At American Family Care, we provide primary care services for fast, easy on-site wart removal. Our qualified medical staff is ready to treat your family’s warts with state-of-the-art equipment, kindness, and compassion. You can schedule a consultation or just walk in; no appointment is necessary. Find a location in your area, and the staff at American Family Care will get rid of your warts.
