Wart removal – in brief
| What is being removed | Verrucas |
|---|---|
| Methods | Radiowaves or liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy), and CO2 laser if necessary, depending on the type and location of the wart |
| Anaesthesia | Local, as an injection or as a cream, when needed |
| Duration of the procedure | A few minutes per lesion |
| Preparation | No special preparation is required; previous treatments and therapy are reported to the doctor. |
| Procedure performed by | Consultant Dermatologist |
What are warts and how are they recognised?
Warts are benign skin growths that occur when the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes accelerated cell growth in the superficial layer of the skin. They can be single or clustered, of various sizes and shapes, and most commonly have a rough surface. They are transmitted by contact, either directly or via objects, and can therefore spread to other parts of the body.
Before choosing the method, we perform dermatological examination, during which the doctor assesses the type and location of the lesion. What patients call skin tags can be of a different nature; more about them can be found on the page papilloma removal. Seborrhoeic keratoses they can also resemble warts, but are not viral and are treated differently. If the appearance of the lesion is atypical, a dermatologist may recommend further diagnostics, for example skin biopsy.
Warts on the hands, feet and face
Hands and fingers
Common warts most frequently appear on the fingers, around the nails and on the back of the hand. They are rough to the touch, greyish to brown in colour, and range in size from a few millimetres to about one centimetre. Since hands are constantly in use, post-treatment care is adapted to frequent washing and working with the hands.
Feet
Plantar warts on the soles and toes grow partly inwards due to pressure when walking, so they can be painful. The choice of method and post-treatment care are planned so as to have as little impact as possible on walking and footwear.
Face and neck
Flat (verruca plana) warts, which are smooth, slightly raised and often numerous, most commonly appear on the face, as do filiform warts around the eyelids, lips and nose, which spread easily through shaving. On the face, special care is taken in the choice of method and aftercare so that any mark is as inconspicuous as possible.
Genital region
Genital warts (condylomas) are a special type that are sexually transmitted. Their treatment is planned after an examination, along with advice on further follow-up appointments.
How does a dermatologist choose the removal method?
There is no single method that is best for every wart. The dermatologist chooses the removal method according to:
- types of wart – common, plantar, flat, filiform or genital;
- number and size of lesions – for a larger number of warts, the treatment plan may involve multiple visits;
- localisation – the face, hands and feet require a different approach and care;
- previous treatment – it is important to state which methods and preparations have already been used and with what result;
- patient's expectations – recovery speed, appearance of the treated area and the number of visits required.
What do the visit and treatment look like?
- Examination – the dermatologist assesses the type, number and location of the warts and discusses previous treatments.
- Method agreement – the removal method is chosen and the course of recovery is explained.
- Preparation and anaesthesia – the site is disinfected and, when necessary, local anaesthesia is administered using a needle or cream.
- Treatment – removing a single change takes a few minutes.
- Instructions and follow-up – the patient receives aftercare instructions and, where necessary, an appointment for a follow-up or next treatment.
Radio waves, liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) and CO2 laser
Radiowave wart removal
Using a radiowave knife, warts are precisely removed under local anaesthetic, while the waves simultaneously seal tiny blood vessels, so bleeding is minimal. The method allows good depth control, which is important for lesions on the face and sensitive regions, and the removed tissue can, when indicated, be sent for analysis. The removal of a single lesion takes a few minutes.
Laser wart removal
The CO2 laser removes warts by vaporising tissue layer by layer, with precise depth control. It is used for certain types and locations of warts, as assessed by a dermatologist. Recovery takes from a few days to about ten days, depending on the depth of the treatment, after which the treated area is protected from the sun. Lesions in the immediate vicinity of the eyes are not treated with lasers. More about the technology and its application in Imedic can be found on the page CO2 laser.
Liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy)
Liquid nitrogen freezes the wart (cryotherapy), after which the body gradually rejects the altered tissue. The treatment lasts a few minutes. During the treatment, a stinging sensation may be felt, the intensity of which depends on the location and extent of the treatment, and afterwards a blister or scab usually forms which falls off by itself. It is primarily suitable for smaller and superficial warts, and it is often necessary to repeat it several times at intervals of a few weeks.
Recovery and aftercare following removal
Recovery depends on the method, size and location of the wart. A scab usually forms on the treated area and falls off on its own within three days to two weeks.
- washing and dressing – the wound is kept clean and dry, and the care product and plaster are used according to the doctor's instructions;
- hands - when washing hands frequently and working with your hands, the treated area should be protected with a plaster;
- feet – in the first few days, comfortable footwear that does not put pressure on the treated area is recommended, and longer walking and running are restricted until healing is complete;
- face – do not shave or apply makeup over the treated area until the scab falls off;
- physical activity and swimming pool – are avoided until the wound heals;
- sun - young skin is protected for two to three months with a high-factor sunscreen, so that it does not tan.
A doctor should be contacted if increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pus-filled discharge appear, or if the wound does not heal within the expected timeframe.
Can warts reappear?
The treated wart is removed, but the virus that causes it can remain in the skin, so a recurrence in the same or another place is possible, regardless of the method. Therefore, for some patients, a follow-up appointment is scheduled, and any new growth is treated in good time while it is still small. A recurrence does not mean that the treatment was not done properly, but is a characteristic of a viral skin infection.
Wart removal price
The price of wart removal depends on the number and size of the lesions, their localisation and the chosen method. Current prices are available in dermatology price list. Following the examination, you will receive a treatment recommendation and an explanation of its scope.
Frequently asked questions about wart removal
Is wart removal painful?
During radiowave removal, local anaesthesia is administered via a needle or cream, so no pain is felt during the treatment. During liquid nitrogen treatment (cryotherapy), a stinging sensation may be felt, the intensity of which depends on the location and extent of the treatment. After the treatment, the area may be sensitive for a few days, and in the case of plantar warts, also when walking.
How many treatments are needed?
For radiowave removal, a single treatment per lesion is usually sufficient. Treatment with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) is often repeated multiple times, at intervals of several weeks. The number of visits also depends on the number of warts.
Can multiple warts be removed in one appointment?
Yes, once the doctor considers it safe. With a larger number of lesions, particularly on the feet or hands, the treatment is sometimes divided over multiple visits to make recovery easier.
Will there be a scar left?
After wart removal, a scar is possible. Whether one will form and how visible it will be depends on the method, size, depth and location of the lesion, as well as individual healing. After smaller lesions, the mark is usually barely visible, and a lighter or darker spot may also remain, which fades over time. Sun protection helps to prevent the treated area from darkening.
Is the removed tissue sent for analysis?
This depends on the method and manner of taking the sample. With radiowave removal, when the appearance of the lesion is not typical or there is another clinical indication, the removed tissue can be sent for pathohistological analysis. With liquid nitrogen and CO2 laser treatments, the tissue is destroyed at the treatment site, so when an analysis is necessary, the sample is taken separately, prior to the treatment. The dermatologist decides on this.
Can I send a photo of the wart?
You can. A clear photograph, taken in good lighting and from multiple angles, can be sent via Viber or WhatsApp to 064 237 0707, so that a doctor can make an initial assessment of the treatment method and price. The final decision is made after a consultation.
When is the treatment delayed?
The treatment is postponed in the event of infection or skin inflammation at the site of removal and during acute illnesses. If a pacemaker or other electronic medical device is fitted, during pregnancy, and in the case of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, a doctor assesses which method is safe and when is the best time to perform the treatment.
Book wart removal in Belgrade
The Imedic Polyclinic is located at Kneza Miloša 23 street, 2nd floor, Belgrade. Opening hours: Monday–Sunday, 9:00–21:00.
Appointments are made by phone: 064 237 0707. If you contact us from abroad, we are also available via Viber and WhatsApp on the same number.
Author: Dr Ivica Jeremić
Doctor of Medical Sciences (Molecular Medicine and Immunology), subspecialist in rheumatology, dermatology resident.
Updated:
Expert sources
- American Academy of Dermatology Warts: Diagnosis and treatment.
- Cryotherapy in Dermatology. StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf.
- Treating Warts. American Family Physician, 2011.
