Wart Removal Surgery

What are Viral Warts?

Viral warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection that most people encounter at some point in their lives [1]. There are over 100 strains of HPV, and while most cause harmless skin growths, certain high-risk types are linked to cervical and other cancers [2]. Vaccines are now available to protect against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer cases.

Wart viruses are extremely resilient and can survive for long periods in dry or cool environments. Because of their infectious nature, warts can easily spread from one part of the body to another or from person to person through direct contact. Picking or scratching a wart may also transfer the virus to nearby skin.

Medical wart removal is recommended to eliminate the virus effectively and to prevent recurrence or further spread. Early treatment also helps reduce discomfort and the risk of scarring.

What Do Warts Look Like?

Warts can vary in appearance depending on their location on the body. They usually have a rough surface and may appear flat, raised or with tiny projections extending from the skin [3].

In certain areas, such as the soles of the feet or around the fingernails, warts may grow deeper into the skin, causing pain and thickened skin. These are known as plantar warts when found on the feet. People in certain occupations, such as meat handlers, are more prone to developing warts on their hands, commonly referred to as Butcher’s warts.

Warts are more likely to occur, and can be more resistant to treatment in individuals with a weakened immune system, including those with diabetes, cancer or HIV.

Although warts are generally harmless, they can be unsightly, uncomfortable and contagious. Seeking professional wart removal can help restore smooth, healthy skin and prevent further spread.

What Are the Different Types of Warts?

Warts can appear in various forms depending on the HPV strain involved and the area of infection. Each type has distinct characteristics and may require a slightly different treatment approach.

Type of Wart	Description	Diagram
Common warts (Verruca vulgaris)	Rough, raised bumps with a grainy surface, usually found on the hands, fingers, and around the nails.
Plantar warts (Verruca plantaris)	Appear on the soles of the feet; may grow inward due to walking pressure, often causing pain or discomfort.
Flat warts (Verruca plana)	Smooth, flat-topped lesions that appear in clusters on the face, neck, hands, or legs; more common in children and teenagers.
Filiform warts (Verruca filiformis)	Long, thin, thread-like growths found on the face, around the eyes, nose, or mouth; often more noticeable.
Periungual warts	Occur around or under the fingernails and toenails; can distort nail growth and are harder to treat.
Genital warts (Condyloma acuminata)	Affect the genital area; caused by specific HPV strains and require specialised medical management.

Wart Risk Factors

Certain factors can make some individuals more prone to developing warts or experiencing recurrences. As warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), the infection spreads more easily when the skin barrier is weakened or exposed.

• Weakened immune system: People with compromised immunity, such as those with HIV/AIDS or on long-term immunosuppressive medication, are more vulnerable to HPV infections [4].

• Skin-to-skin contact: Direct contact with warts, either on another person’s skin or your own (autoinoculation) can lead to infection.

• Exposure to contaminated surfaces: Walking barefoot in communal areas like swimming pools, locker rooms or showers increases the risk of plantar warts.

• Skin injuries or broken skin: Cuts, abrasions or scratches make it easier for the virus to enter and infect the skin.

• Age: Children and teenagers are more susceptible as their immune systems are still developing.

• Personal habits: Nail-biting, picking at warts or shaving over affected areas can spread the virus to other parts of the body.

Warts are benign viral growths that can occur at any age and affect about 10–12% of the population. Early treatment is recommended to remove the virus and prevent further spread or discomfort.

Can Warts Be Left Alone?

In many cases, warts may resolve on their own as the body’s immune system gradually clears the viral infection, though this process can take months or even years. Studies show that around 60% of warts clear naturally within two years [5].

However, warts can be painful, contagious, or cosmetically concerning, and they may spread to other parts of the body or to others through contact. For these reasons, many patients choose to seek professional wart removal to accelerate recovery, relieve discomfort, and prevent recurrence.

Why Do I Need to Treat Warts Early?

Treating warts early helps stop the infection from spreading, reduces discomfort and restores the appearance of healthy skin more quickly.

• Improved appearance: warts can be cosmetically unsightly and cause embarrassment. Early removal helps restore smooth, healthy skin free from viral infection.

• Preventing spread: As warts are contagious, prompt treatment reduces the risk of spreading the virus to other areas of your body or to others through contact.

• Eliminate discomfort and irritation: Warts on pressure points such as the hands or feet can cause pain, irritation or difficulty walking, and treatment helps relieve these symptoms.

• Boost confidence and self-esteem: Clearing visible warts can improve comfort and confidence, particularly for warts on the face or hands.

• Enhanced participation in daily activities: Removing painful or bothersome warts allows you to move, exercise, and engage in daily tasks without discomfort.

• Reducing long-term cost: Early treatment prevents warts from enlarging or multiplying, helping to avoid more extensive and costly procedures later.

How Are Warts Diagnosed?

Most warts can be diagnosed clinically through visual examination by a doctor. However, their appearance may resemble other skin conditions, such as:

• Seborrhoeic keratosis
• Squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer)
• Corns and calluses

In rare or uncertain cases, a skin biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other skin disorders.

Common Viral Wart Treatments

There are several effective treatment options available to remove warts, depending on their size, location, and severity. Treatments may be purchased over the counter or prescribed by a doctor for more stubborn or recurrent cases.

Different Wart Removal Treatments in Singapore

There are several effective medical treatments available for wart removal, each chosen based on the size, type and location of the wart, as well as the patient’s skin type and tolerance.

• Electrosurgery: This procedure uses alternating electric current to generate heat, burning off the wart tissue [6]. While effective, it may be painful and carries a higher risk of scarring, so it is typically reserved for selected cases.

• CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide) Laser Surgery: CO₂ laser treatment is a precise and targeted method often used for stubborn or recurrent warts [7]. The laser vaporises the infected tissue while minimising bleeding and damage to the surrounding skin. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, and proper wound care is essential for optimal healing. Although lasers offer excellent precision, the recurrence rate can still vary depending on the type of wart.

• Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy involves applying liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy wart tissue. It is one of the most common treatment options, though multiple sessions are usually required for complete clearance [8].

• Excision: For larger or resistant warts, surgical excision may be performed under local anaesthesia [9]. The wart is physically removed, but this method carries a higher risk of scarring, so it is used selectively.

• Immunotherapy: Intra-lesional immunotherapy is used for warts that do not respond to standard treatments [10]. It involves injecting small doses of vaccines, such as mumps, measles, rubella (MMR) or BCG vaccine directly into the wart to stimulate the body’s immune system to fight the virus. Typically, three to five sessions are carried out at two-week intervals. Side effects are generally mild, with temporary redness or soreness at the injection site being the most common.

What Is the Best Wart Removal Treatment?

The most suitable wart removal treatment depends on several factors, including the type of wart, its location, size, duration and whether it has recurred after previous treatments. No single method is universally best for everyone.

For smaller or newer warts, topical treatments or cryotherapy are often effective. Laser surgery and immunotherapy are typically recommended for stubborn or multiple warts that have not responded to standard care. In some cases, a combination approach may be used to improve success rates and reduce recurrence.

Your doctor will assess your condition and recommend a treatment plan that ensures the safest, most effective, and cosmetically satisfactory outcome. Proper aftercare and follow-up are equally important to minimise the risk of scarring and prevent new warts from developing.

Wart Removal Treatment Comparison

When choosing a wart removal method, several factors should be considered to determine the most effective and suitable treatment. These include the type and location of the wart, the patient’s age and general health, as well as the potential for pain, scarring, and recurrence.

The table below summarises the key differences between the main treatment options available:

Procedure	Electrosurgery	Cryotherapy	Laser	Excision
Mechanism	Electric current	Liquid nitrogen	Vaporisation	Surgical removal
Limitations	Scarring	Hypopigmentation, blistering	Specialised equipment	Longer healing time
Pain level	Minimal to moderate	Moderate to high	Minimal	Minimal
Recovery	7–10 days	7–10 days	7–10 days	10–14 days
Scarring	++	++	+	+++

Wart Removal Cost in Singapore

The cost of wart removal in Singapore depends on factors such as the type, size and number of warts, as well as the treatment method used. More advanced or multiple sessions may involve higher costs.

Treatment	Price
Topical treatment	From $50
Electrosurgery	From $380
Laser wart removal	From $380
Surgical excision	From $499

Your doctor will recommend the most suitable and cost-effective treatment plan after assessing your condition during consultation.

Summary

Viral warts are among the most common skin infections in the general population. People often seek treatment when warts cause pain, discomfort, irritation or become cosmetically bothersome.

Whether your goal is relief from symptoms or improvement in appearance, it is reassuring to know that several effective options are available, including topical therapy, cryotherapy, and wart removal surgery. The right treatment depends on your wart type, size, and location, as well as the potential downtime and cost you are comfortable with.

At APAX Medical & Aesthetics Clinic, treatment plans are carefully designed to balance safety, effectiveness, and recovery time, helping patients achieve clear, healthy skin with lasting results.

Schedule a Consultation for Wart Removal in Singapore

If you are struggling with stubborn or recurring warts and over-the-counter treatments have not worked, it may be time to seek professional care. Schedule a consultation with Dr Moses Ng, who will assess your skin condition and recommend a personalised treatment plan suited to your needs.

Let us help you achieve smoother, clearer skin and long-term improvement in your confidence and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wart Removal

Wart removal surgery

Viral warts are very common infections in the general population. When people seek treatments, it is usually when the warts are causing pain, discomfort, irritation or may be cosmetically unacceptable. Whatever you reasons, you should know that there are many treatment options available, whether topical, cryotherapy or by wart removal surgery. Wart removal must take into consideration the risk and benefits to the patient, the costs involved and amount of downtime that is acceptable to the individual.

Dr. Moses Ng

Schedule a consultation for Wart Removal in Singapore

Are you suffering from stubborn warts and have tried over-the-counter treatments that do not work? Contact us today to schedule a consultation, so that Dr. Ng can develop a personalized treatment approach for resolving your skin concerns and helping you to achieve long-term improvements in the appearance of your skin.

References:

1.  Sterling JC, Gibbs S, Haque Hussain SS, Mohd Mustapa MF, Handfield-Jones SE. British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of cutaneous warts 2014. Br J Dermatol. 2014 Oct. 171(4):696-712.
2. Oganesyan A, Sivesind T, Dellavalle R. From the Cochrane library: topical treatments for cutaneous warts. JMIR dermatology. 2021 Dec 14;4(2):e33900.
3. Sloan K, Haberman H, Lynde CW. Carbon dioxide laser-treatment of resistant verrucae vulgaris: retrospective analysis. J Cutan Med Surg. 1998 Jan. 2(3):142-5.
4. Fields JR, Saikaly SK, Schoch JJ. Intralesional immunotherapy for pediatric warts: a review. Pediatric dermatology. 2020 Mar;37(2):265-71.
5. Kaur A, Brar BK, Kumar S, Brar SK, Boparai AS, Puri N. A randomized comparative study of MIP and MMR vaccine for the treatment of cutaneous warts. Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2021 Mar 1;66(2):151-8.