Warts

Warts are the second most common skin condition in humans (second only to acne) and can be very frustrating to treat at home.

For many people, warts are a stubborn, annoying issue. These often very small areas of problematic skin are a very common dermatologic problem that affects people of all sexes and ages. Dr. Lombardi and the team at the Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Surgery Center of New Jersey (SCCSNJ) offer wart removal treatments for residents of Edison, New Jersey, and the surrounding areas of New Jersey.

What exactly is a wart?

A wart is a common benign growth of the skin that’s induced by infection of the skin by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can occur almost anywhere on the body. The type of wart it is will depend on where it’s located on the body: plantar warts are on the plantar part of the foot (bottom); palmar warts are on the palms of the hands; planar warts are flat-top warts that are on all parts of the body, including the arms, legs, and face.

What exactly is a wart?

The HPV virus that causes the common wart (no, it’s not the same HPV virus that causes genital warts—there are over 100 strains of the HPV virus) can be contracted from skin-to-skin contact, but also in some scenarios of touching inanimate objects, such as sweaty gym equipment, a moist towel, a shower in a public place, a public pool deck, and any other damp environments where others with the HPV virus have been. Having cuts, open wounds, or scraped skin in these environments increases your chances of contracting the virus.

Most people are exposed to the HPV virus at some point in their lives. The body’s ability to fight off the virus will determine whether or not a person will get a wart. Warts manifest most commonly in children and the elderly, when immune systems may be compromised. Both males and females are affected equally.

How does SCCSNJ gets rid of warts?

Warts are typically benign and although the body eventually will identify and fight off the virus, it may take 2-3 years. They can be treated in our office with cryotherapy.

  • Cryotherapy: if the salicylic acid treatments from the drugstore just aren’t cutting it (or if you don’t have the patience to wait that long), cryotherapy, offered by SCCSNJ, is a quick alternative. It involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, causing cellular damage.
    When will I see results? For small warts, one session may be enough, but for larger ones, 2-3 sessions, around one month apart, may be required.

At the Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Surgery Center of New Jersey, we offer wart removal treatments for both men and women. So, if you have developed warts, you can find the professional care you require with Dr. Lombardi. Reach out to us today to learn more or schedule a consultation!