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Warts Removal

Find out more about warts, their symptoms and treatment options here at LL Cheong Skin & Laser Clinic.

Warts
are harmless
skin growths
caused by a virus.

How are warts formed?

Warts are harmless skin growths caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). They can grow on any part of the body, including the face, hand, finger and foot. While common and typically harmless, warts can be inconvenient, embarrassing and even painful. For instance, warts on the sole of the foot (called plantar warts) grow inward from the pressure of standing and walking, and are often painful.

Warts are also contagious and can be transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. People with a weaker immune system are more prone to contracting warts through the HPV virus. Signs and symptoms of warts include:

Small, flesh-colored bumps that can form in clusters
Rough or grainy texture
Fleshy lumps with black dots

Long and thin threads of skin (filiform wart)
Flat and smooth growths that form inward (plantar wart)

How can warts be treated?

Warts are generally harmless and usually go away on their own. However, if the condition persists and if you experience any of the following complications, you should seek treatment from an experienced dermatologist:

Persistent pain
Change in colour or appearance of warts
Debilitating to regular activities

Persistent and recurring warts despite existing treatments
Development of numerous warts

Treatment for warts aim to remove them to prevent spreading and recurrence.

Salicylic acid – Using prescription-strength salicylic acid, the targeted wart is peeled away layer by layer. It also has the added benefit of stimulating the body’s immune system to fight the virus, as well as build healthy cells in the treated site.
Cryotherapy – The wart and its surrounding area are frozen to as low as -196°C using liquid nitrogen. Following treatment, the dead wart will slough off on its own.

Surgery – A scalpel is used to surgically excise the wart.
Electrosurgery and curettage – The wart is burned through electrocauterization and scraped off using a curette.
Laser treatment – Laser is used to burn the blood vessels in and around the wart. This will result in the wart eventually dying and falling off.

A combination of these treatments can also be done to prevent warts from recurring.