Do you have warts that are not going away or spreading?
Early treatment of warts can prevent progression and spread to other areas.
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Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and affect most of us at some point of our lives. There are over a hundred types of human papilloma viruses, and some high-risk HPV viruses are associated with cancer development. Most notably, there are vaccines now available to protect young girls from cervical cancer, as studies have shown that HPV 16 and 18 account for about 70% of cervical cancers.
The wart viruses are incredibly resilient creatures, and can survive in extremely dry conditions, freezing temperatures and in the external environment for long periods of time. Due to the infective nature of warts, it is not surprising to learn that they can spread from one site of the body to another. This means that if you are picking on your wart, you are likely to transfer the virus to other parts of your skin.
Wart removal treatment therefore is recommended to get rid of the virus and to prevent further spread.
Viral warts are common skin infections that can affect all ages and any area of the skin. Being a viral infection, it can spread if left untreated. Early intervention will help eliminate the wart viral load and prevent further spread. With over 15 years of clinical experience, Dr.Ng will personalise a treatment plan to ensure the most effective, safe and long term improvement in the appearance of your warts.
Warts take on a different appearance depending on the site where it infects. Warts typically have a rough surface, and can look flat or have tiny projections sticking out from the skin. In certain areas such as the soles and around the fingernails, the wart virus tends to grow deeply, causing pain and the surrounding skin to be thickened in texture. Warts on the bottom of your feet are called plantar warts. Certain jobs increases your risk of getting warts, for example, meat handlers have a higher risk of warts on their hands that are affectionately termed Butcher’s Warts. Warts are also more common and more difficult to treat if you have a weakened immune system such as diabetes, cancer and HIV.
Although warts are common, they are unsightly and can cause discomfort. It is therefore understandable that many would seek wart removal treatments for this common condition.
Warts are abnormal growths on the skin caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Affecting about 10-12% of the population, warts can occur in any age group. Wart removal treatment depend on the site, size and type of wart.
Warts take on distinct appearances depending on the site of infection.
Most warts can be diagnosed based of their clinical appearance. It may mimic some dermatological conditions such as:
In rare and unusual cases, a skin biopsy may be needed for confirm the diagnosis.
You might be surprised to know that warts will eventually clear spontaneously as your immune system decides to act on it, although it may take years. About 60% of warts may clear on it own within 2 years. However, we do understand that many patients may experience pain from the warts, or the warts may be spreading motivating many to seek professional help to find a solution to treat their warts.
Warts can appear cosmetically unsightly and cause embarrassment. Clearing warts will lead to healthier skin free from viral infection.
Being a viral infection, warts can spread to surrounding areas, distant areas and even to other people. Early treatment helps to prevent transmission and recurrences.
Warts on pressure sensitive areas such as the feet can cause pain and discomfort. Removing warts can help alleviate symptoms.
Warts on visible areas such as the face can lead to loss of self-esteem, anxiety and embarrassment. Removing warts can help regain confidence and avoid an impact on your quality of life.
Depending on their location, warts can limit a person’s ability to participate in certain activities, such as sports or hobbies. Removing warts can restore full engagement in these activities.
Small and early warts are easier to treat and less costly, while numerous and extensive warts would require multiple treatments which will add to your cost of treatment.
A procedure using alternating electric current to generate heat to burn the warty tissue. This procedure is painful and likely to cause scarring.
CO2 laser for wart removal is a destructive treatment option that is usually reserved for stubborn warts. It is able to target skin lesions with a high degree of precision and low reflection and scattering of the laser beam. The CO2 laser selectively vaporizes the warty tissue while minimising bleeding. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia, and wound aftercare is essential post treatment. Although lasers are a sophisticated treatment for warts, the recurrence rate remains significant.
Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the warts. Multiple treatments may be required.
Surgical removal of warts, especially larger and stubborn ones. However, this is associated with more scarring.
Intralesional immunotherapy are an option for warts resistant to conventional forms of treatment. Intralesional injection of vaccines (mumps, measles, rubella virus or MMR vaccine, and Bacille Calmette-Guerin or BCG vaccine) helps to stimulate your immune system against different antigens to clear cells infected by the HPV virus. For patients with multiple warts, intralesional immunotherapy can lead to clearance of targeted and even distant warts. An average of 3-5 treatment sessions are done over fortnightly sessions. The procedure is associated with a low risk of serious adverse events, with redness and pain on injection being the most commonly reported events.
When considering wart removal treatments, several factors should be taken into account to determine the most effective and appropriate approach. These considerations include the type and location of the wart, the patient’s age and overall health, the potential for pain or scarring, and the likelihood of recurrence.
Procedure | Electrosurgery | Cryotherapy | Laser | Excision |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mechanism | Electric current | Liquid nitrogen | Vaporization | Surgical removal |
Limitations | Scarring | Hypopigmentation, Blistering | Specialized 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 | ++ | ++ | + | +++ |
TREATMENT | PRICE |
---|---|
Topical treatment | from $50 |
Electrosurgery | from $380 |
Laser wart removal | from $380 |
Surgical excision | from $499 |
The affected area is numbed either with a topical or local anaesthetic. The laser wart removal procedure is virtually painless.
Depending on the size of the wart, most individuals recover within 7-10 days.
As with most procedures, there is a small risk of bleeding, infection, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, scarring and recurrence. With careful planning and selection, the risks are minimal.
Electrosurgery is associated with a higher risk of scarring. Laser surgery is more precise and healing is excellent in most individuals. Also, the smaller the wart, the less obvious the scar will be.
Warts are known to recur regardless of the treatment modality. Multiple treatments may be necessary for recurrent warts.
You should wait for the scabs to dry before resuming exercise and physical activities. It takes the scabs 2-3 days to form and subsequently 7 days to fall off.
After an initial consultation and clinical assessment, treatment options will be based on wart size, type, number, location and complexity of the procedure. At APAX Medical & Aesthetics clinic, wart removal is from $50 onwards.
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
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.
Dr. Moses Ng is a distinguished professional in the field of aesthetic medicine, renowned for his expertise in advanced cosmetic procedures. With over 15 years of experience, extensive training and a keen eye for detail, Dr. Ng specializes in a wide range of treatments, including injectables, laser therapies, and acne scar management.
Dr. Moses Ng’s commitment to excellence and patient-centric approach have earned him a reputation as a trusted clinician in aesthetic medicine. His continuous pursuit of the latest advancements in the field ensures that his patients receive the highest standard of care and the most effective treatments available.