Warts are benign, non-cancerous skin growths caused by a localized viral infection in the top layer of the skin. Because they are caused by a virus, warts can spread to other areas of your body and to other people, and they are notoriously stubborn to remove with over-the-counter kits. At Preston Dermatology, our physicians utilize highly effective, medical-grade destruction techniques to eliminate warts quickly and thoroughly.
Overview
Warts are benign, non-cancerous skin growths caused by a localized viral infection in the top layer of the skin. Because they are caused by a virus, warts can spread to other areas of your body and to other people, and they are notoriously stubborn to remove with over-the-counter kits. At Preston Dermatology, our physicians utilize highly effective, medical-grade destruction techniques to eliminate warts quickly and thoroughly.
Causes and Risk Factors
Infection by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) family, entering through tiny breaks or cuts in the skin skin barrier. Risk factors include a weakened immune system, biting or picking at cuticles, and using public showers or pool decks without footwear.
Treatments
Cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), prescription-strength topical salicylic acid applications, electrosurgery or curettage (scraping away the growth), and intralesional immunotherapies for highly resistant warts.
Concerns
Rough, grainy, or fleshy bumps; small black dots within the growth (clotted capillaries); painful bumps on the soles of the feet that make walking uncomfortable (plantar warts); and spreading clusters of skin growths.
Body Areas
Hands and fingers (common warts), soles of the feet (plantar warts), face and legs (flat warts), and around the nail beds (periungual warts).