How does the wart removal healing process work. What factors impact recovery after plantar wart removal. When can you resume normal activities after wart treatment. What are the best aftercare practices for optimal healing.

Understanding the Wart Removal Healing Process

The healing process after wart removal is a complex journey that varies depending on several key factors. Dermatologists at BHSkin Dermatology offer a range of effective treatments for even the most persistent warts. However, patients often have questions about the procedure, discomfort levels, and recovery time.

Recovery from wart removal primarily focuses on the healing of the post-treatment wound. The timeline and experience can differ significantly based on the treatment method, wart location, and the patient’s overall health.

Key Factors Influencing Wart Removal Recovery

• Type of treatment performed
• Location and severity of the wart
• Patient’s immune status
• Size and shape of the post-treatment wound
• Overall health of the patient

The Impact of Wart Location on Healing

The location of the wart plays a crucial role in the healing process. Specific concerns arise based on whether the wart is in a weight-bearing area, involved in movement, or exposed to sunlight.

Weight-Bearing Areas

Warts located in weight-bearing areas, such as the soles of the feet, pose unique challenges. Why do these areas heal slower? The pressure from body weight can deplete oxygen in the area, delaying the healing process. Patients who have undergone plantar wart removal may need to take special precautions.

How long does it take to walk comfortably after plantar wart removal? For some individuals, this may occur in as little as 2-3 weeks, while others may require a longer recovery period. Your doctor may recommend:

• Wearing loose footwear
• Using crutches temporarily
• Avoiding prolonged standing or walking

Areas Involved in Movement

Warts located on areas involved in frequent movement, such as hand joints, may also experience slower healing. Movement can stretch the contracting regions of the skin, which is a natural part of the wound closure process. In these cases, temporary immobilization may be necessary to promote faster healing.

Sun-Exposed Areas

While the initial wound may heal relatively quickly, changes underneath the skin continue for months or even years. Sun exposure can have detrimental effects on newly repaired skin, including:

• Darkening of the healed area
• Breakdown of new connective tissues

To achieve optimal cosmetic results, patients may need to continue sun protection long after resuming normal activities.

The Role of Wound Size and Shape in Recovery

The size and shape of the post-treatment wound significantly influence the healing timeline. Generally, smaller wounds heal faster than larger or scattered ones. Why is this the case? Smaller wounds typically experience less inflammation and require less time for the skin to regenerate.

Wound Shape Considerations

The shape of the wound also plays a crucial role in healing time:

• Thin incisions: These allow for easier contraction of the skin’s top surface, promoting faster healing.
• Round wounds: These typically take longer to heal as the skin must close from the edges inward.

In some cases, medical professionals may use stitches, skin glue, tape, or surgical staples to expedite wound closure. These methods are particularly effective for slit-like cuts but may not be suitable for round or wide lesions.

Impact of Different Wart Removal Procedures on Recovery

The type of wart removal procedure chosen affects various aspects of recovery, including pain severity, duration, and overall healing time. Understanding these differences can help patients prepare for their post-treatment experience.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Less invasive office procedures generally result in less pain and shorter recovery times. Examples include:

• Bleomycin injections: These produce only small puncture wounds.
• Cantharidin treatment: A non-invasive option that requires little to no downtime.
• Cryotherapy: While minimally invasive, it can create a blister that may remain sore for several days.

These treatments typically allow patients to resume normal activities quickly, especially when performed on non-weight-bearing areas.

More Invasive Procedures

Some wart removal methods are more invasive and may require pain medication during and after the procedure. These include:

• Electrosurgery and curettage
• VBeam laser treatment
• Surgical excision

Recovery time for these procedures varies and may require a longer period of limited activity.

The Influence of Immune Status on Healing

A patient’s immune status plays a critical role in the healing process after wart removal. Why is this important? The immune system is responsible for initiating inflammation, fighting off potential infections, and promoting tissue repair.

Individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV or diabetes mellitus, may experience:

• Delayed recovery
• Increased risk of infection
• Potential for non-healing wounds

In these cases, extra precautions and close monitoring by healthcare professionals are essential to ensure proper healing.

Additional Factors Affecting Wound Healing and Recovery

Several other health factors can impact the speed and quality of healing after wart removal. Being aware of these can help patients and healthcare providers take appropriate measures to optimize recovery.

Common Factors Impacting Healing

• Clotting abnormalities
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, peripheral vascular disease)
• Medications (e.g., steroids, chemotherapy drugs)
• Smoking and alcohol consumption
• Age (older individuals generally heal more slowly)
• Stress levels

How can patients address these factors? Working closely with healthcare providers to manage underlying conditions, optimize nutrition, and make lifestyle adjustments can significantly improve healing outcomes.

Optimal Aftercare Practices for Wart Removal Recovery

Proper aftercare is crucial for ensuring optimal healing and minimizing complications following wart removal. By following these guidelines, patients can promote faster recovery and better cosmetic results.

Wound Care Essentials

1. Keep the area clean and dry
2. Change dressings as instructed by your healthcare provider
3. Avoid picking at scabs or blisters
4. Apply antibiotic ointment if recommended
5. Monitor for signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, or discharge)

Pain Management

How can patients manage discomfort during recovery? Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help alleviate pain. For more severe discomfort, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications.

Activity Modifications

Depending on the location and extent of the wart removal, patients may need to modify their activities. This could include:

• Avoiding pressure on the treated area
• Using crutches or special footwear for plantar wart removal
• Refraining from swimming or soaking the area until it has healed

Sun Protection

Protecting the healing area from sun exposure is crucial for preventing hyperpigmentation and promoting optimal healing. Patients should:

• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to the area once it has healed
• Cover the area with clothing when possible
• Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours

Timeline for Resuming Normal Activities

The timeline for returning to normal activities after wart removal varies depending on the factors discussed earlier. However, a general guideline can help patients set realistic expectations.

Typical Recovery Timelines

• Minimally invasive procedures: 1-2 weeks
• Cryotherapy: 1-3 weeks, depending on blister healing
• Surgical excision: 2-4 weeks, possibly longer for complete healing
• Plantar wart removal: 2-6 weeks before resuming normal weight-bearing activities

It’s important to note that these are general estimates, and individual healing times may vary. Patients should always follow their healthcare provider’s specific instructions regarding activity resumption.

Signs of Proper Healing

How can patients tell if their wound is healing properly? Look for the following signs:

• Gradual decrease in pain and swelling
• Formation of new, pink skin
• Scab formation and eventual falling off
• Improved range of motion (for warts near joints)
• Ability to bear weight without discomfort (for plantar warts)

If patients experience prolonged pain, increasing redness, or signs of infection, they should contact their healthcare provider promptly.

Long-Term Care and Wart Prevention

After successful wart removal and healing, patients should focus on preventing future wart occurrences. What steps can be taken to minimize the risk of wart recurrence?

Preventive Measures

• Maintain good hygiene practices
• Avoid walking barefoot in public areas like locker rooms or pools
• Keep feet clean and dry
• Avoid sharing personal items like towels or shoes
• Boost immune system through a healthy diet and lifestyle
• Consider HPV vaccination if appropriate

Regular Skin Checks

Patients should perform regular self-examinations of their skin, paying particular attention to areas prone to warts. Early detection and treatment of new warts can prevent them from becoming larger or spreading.

Follow-Up Appointments

Scheduling follow-up appointments with a dermatologist is crucial for monitoring healing progress and detecting any signs of recurrence. These visits allow healthcare providers to address any concerns and provide additional treatments if necessary.

By understanding the wart removal healing process, following proper aftercare practices, and taking preventive measures, patients can achieve optimal recovery and reduce the likelihood of future wart occurrences. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options tailored to your specific situation.

Wart Removal Healing Process & Aftercare (Timeline, Tips & Stages)

Recovery from a wart removal procedure depends on several factors. The ones of particular importance are the type of treatment done, the lesion’s location and severity and the patient’s immune status.

Your skin specialists at BHSkin Dermatology have a number of quick, safe and effective solutions even for the most stubborn warts. You might have even discussed some office procedures with your BHSkin doctor on your last visit. Understandably, questions may remain about how each treatment is performed, how uncomfortable it would be and how long it would keep you from your daily activities.

Here, we explain the recovery process from each procedure and what you can do to ensure proper healing.

What Are the Factors that Can Impact Recovery from a Wart Removal Procedure?

In-office wart treatments produce some kind of controlled skin injury. As such, recovery focuses on the post-treatment wound’s healing. Many factors affect skin repair, and your care provider at BHSkin Dermatology will evaluate your fitness for a procedure based on these.

The Lesion’s Location

The specific concerns here include occurrence in a weight-bearing area, growth on a site involved in movement, circulation and sun exposure.

The pressure from one’s weight delays healing because of oxygen depletion. Post-treatment wounds in weight-bearing areas, like the soles of the feet, need to be protected until they heal. Patients who have just undergone plantar wart removal may be advised to wear loose footwear and crutches for a while.

You’ll know that healing is well on its way when walking on the affected foot becomes comfortable again. For some individuals, this may happen in as little as 2-3 weeks, but others may need to be on crutches longer.

Other forms of pressure, such as that coming from a pen when writing, may also slow down recovery.

Sites involved in movement, like those on hand joints, may also heal slowly without immobilization. Movement stretches the contracting regions of the skin. Skin contraction is a natural body process needed to close up wounds.

Poor circulation is a complication of diseases like diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial disease. Patients may experience slow healing, even non-healing, of wounds in areas where blood, oxygen and nutrient supply are inadequate. Doctors usually discourage invasive procedures in these sites due to the risk of non-healing and secondary bacterial infection.

Changes underneath a closed wound will continue for months, even years. Sun exposure can darken newly repaired skin and break down its new connective tissues. To get the best cosmetic results, you may need to continue sun protection long after resuming normal activities.

The Post-Treatment Wound’s Size and Shape

Smaller post-treatment wounds generally heal faster than big or scattered ones. Inflammation of small skin breaks typically subsides within a few days to a week in healthy individuals.

Meanwhile, the repair time for bigger lesions largely depends on the post-treatment wound’s shape. Thin incisions allow the skin’s top surface to contract easily, so they typically heal faster than round wounds. Stitches, skin glue, skin tape and surgical staples help speed up wound closure. They are appropriate for slit-like cuts but not for round or wide lesions.

The Wart Removal Procedure

The type of procedure influences pain severity and duration, as well as recovery time.

Generally, less invasive office procedures hurt less and only briefly. They include bleomycin injections, which produce only puncture wounds, and the non-invasive cantharidin treatment. These therapies require little to no downtime, depending on the wart’s location and other factors.

Cryotherapy is minimally invasive, but patients do not usually need numbing medication during the session. However, it will create a blister that can stay sore for days. Little to no downtime is required if it is done in non-weight-bearing areas.

Other office procedures burn the warts or create larger incisions, requiring pain medication during the session, and sometimes, afterward. They include electrosurgery and curettage, VBeam laser treatment and excision. Recovery time is variable.

The Patient’s Immune Status

When the skin breaks, immune cells go to the site to clean it up and prevent damage spread. They initiate inflammation, killing off any microbes that may be present in the area. Healing starts after the immune cells have done their job. Individuals with poor immune status, such as persons with HIV and diabetes mellitus, are at risk for delayed recovery or non-healing.

Other Factors that Can Delay Wound Healing and Recovery

A number of other health factors can also slow down healing and recovery time. They include the following:

• Clotting abnormalities, as clotting is the first process that closes up a wound. Liver disease, inborn clotting disorders, low platelet counts, blood thinner intake, etc. can put patients at risk of significant bleeding and wound non-closure.
• Treatments that suppress the immune system, such as steroid intake and radiotherapy in a nearby site.
• Factors that prolong the inflammatory process, like post-treatment wound infection and bruising (hematoma) and radiotherapy in a nearby location. Foreign bodies like dirt and retained gauze can irritate the skin further and delay recovery.
• Connective tissue disease, since wound healing generates a lot of new connective tissues. Therefore, healing would be difficult for individuals with conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, SLE, etc.
• Malnutrition, because the formation of new connective tissues requires healthy levels of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins.
• Surgery in another body part, because the other post-surgical wound will divert nutrients from the wart removal site.
• Age, because elderly individuals typically experience slower wound healing than younger ones.
• Smoking, because it introduces free radicals and other toxins that can delay recovery. It also causes blood thickening and blood vessel narrowing, both of which deplete the wart removal site of oxygen and nutrients.

To ensure fast recovery, doctors will advise measures that can hasten skin repair. Post-treatment wound care, proper diet and rest, medication adherence and avoidance of smoking can all help shorten your downtime.

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What Can You Expect During the Procedure, and How Do You Treat the Area After Wart Removal?

As previously mentioned, office wart treatments differ according to their level of invasiveness. Consequently, they require different pain management approaches and aftercare regimens. The type of procedure also determines the need for post-treatment activity limitation and repeat sessions. Below, we describe these aspects for the office wart treatments that BHSkin Dermatology specializes in.

Cryotherapy

What to expect: In this procedure, the doctor will freeze the wart with liquid nitrogen. It is quick and may be done in a few minutes. Some patients try thinning the wart down beforehand with buffing and salicylic acid, but cryotherapy requires no pretreatment preparation.

Is cryotherapy painful? During the procedure, you will feel a cold sensation and some discomfort on the site, which will last only a few seconds. Numbing medication is usually not required. The area will get inflamed and blister within 24 hours. Blistering may cause mild to moderate pain for a few days.

Downtime: The recovery period after cryotherapy depends on the body part involved. You may resume normal activities as soon as it is done. However, if the treated area is in a weight-bearing or repeatedly compressed location, you may have to protect it for a week to let it dry up before returning to your usual routines. The site can be washed while bathing.

Aftercare: The blister will need a plaster for protection. It is expected to form a scab a week after treatment. However, if it breaks before scabbing, make sure to apply an antiseptic on the site and avoid touching the fluid. The scab will fall off on its own. Until then, do not pick at the site, as that will spread the virus.

Cryotherapy rarely leads to bacterial infection, but call your doctor if the wart removal site develops signs of infection. One or two treatments may be enough for small warts, but bigger ones will require more.

Cantharidin

What to expect: The doctor will apply a chemical on the wart and cover it with non-porous tape. It should take only a few minutes. Cantharidin application does not require any pretreatment preparations.

Is cantharidin treatment painful? Cantharidin application itself is painless, but blistering will occur in 1-2 days, making the site feel tender. The discomfort will go away in 4-7 days as the blister dries up.

Downtime: As in cryotherapy, the downtime for cantharidin treatment also depends on the body part involved.

Aftercare: The doctor will instruct you to wash the area with soap and water after 4 hours. You can take it off sooner if you feel a burning sensation or severe pain on the site. You may wash the treated area while showering and cover it with a plaster afterward.

Occasionally, patients develop bigger, more painful blisters, needing fluid drainage. If this happens, you may apply an antiseptic solution to the area then prick one side of the blister with a sterilized needle. Do not touch the fluid or remove the blister roof. Dry the area with gauze and sterilize it again once drainage is done.

The wart will dry up a week after the treatment. Your doctor can clip the dead wart on follow up if it has not fallen off by then.

Complications are rare after cantharidin treatment, but call your dermatologist if you experience severe bleeding, itchiness or pain. Resistant warts will require multiple sessions.

Electrosurgery and Curettage

What to expect: The doctor will clean the area and give you numbing medication before the treatment. A small blade or spoon-like device will be used to scoop out the wart. A pen-like, electric heating device will stop the bleeding and burn the rest of the growth. The session’s duration depends on the wart’s severity, but it usually takes about 15 minutes, which includes the injection of the numbing drug.

The procedure creates a round or wide wound that will not need suturing. Depending on your health status, your dermatologist may advise you to get medical clearance or stop some medications a few days before the session.

Are electrosurgery and curettage painful? The combined treatment is painless because of the anesthetic, but the site may feel tender for 1-2 weeks, requiring over-the-counter painkillers.

Downtime: The recovery period after electrosurgery and curettage depends on the post-operative wound’s depth, size, and location. You may be advised to avoid exertion in the first 1-2 weeks. Wounds from this procedure take 2-4 weeks to heal.

Aftercare: Your doctor will give you specific post-operative wound care instructions. Generally, the wound is kept dry and bandaged for the first 24-48 hours to let it clot properly. You can then wash it afterward with gentle soap and water. Change the bandage regularly.

If done expertly, electrosurgery and curettage rarely cause complications. However, you may call your doctor if you experience severe pain, bleeding, and fever, or if the site develops a yellowish discharge.

Warts need only one session of electrosurgery and curettage.

Excision

What to expect: The doctor will clean the area, inject a numbing medication, cut out the wart then close the wound. The whole session takes about 15-30 minutes.

The procedure will create a wound that may be cauterized or stitched up. Depending on your health condition, your dermatologist may advise you to get medical clearance or avoid some medications a few days before your appointment.

Is wart excision painful? The procedure itself is painless because of the numbing medication, but the site will feel tender for a couple of weeks. You may need pain medications after your session.

Downtime: Recovery from wart excision depends on the lesion’s size, shape and location. You may be advised to avoid strenuous activities for 2-4 weeks to avoid trauma to the site. You may use crutches to relieve the pressure from plantar excisions.

Aftercare: The specialist will advise you about proper wound care, similar to that in electrosurgery and curettage. Call your doctor if you experience severe pain, bleeding, and fever, or if the site develops signs of infection.

Warts need only one session of excision surgery.

VBeam Laser Treatment

What to expect: Your dermatologist will use a powerful light beam to break down the wart’s blood vessels. Each session takes about 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the problem’s severity.

Prior to your appointment, the doctor may ask you to avoid sun exposure, chemical peels, vitamin A-containing medications and other treatments that may cause your skin to become photosensitive.

Is VBeam laser treatment of warts painful? Your care provider will use a device that sprays a cold, numbing mist on the skin while the laser is being applied. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure, although warts in sensitive areas may need topical pain medication. The site may feel mildly tender for up to 2 weeks.

Downtime: The duration of the recovery period after laser surgery depends on the wart’s size, distribution and location. Downtime is minimal if it is small and away from the plantar areas or other frequently compressed sites. Otherwise, recovery will take a few weeks.

Aftercare: The wart will dry up in 1-2 weeks, and the site may turn black as it heals. Keep it clean, dry and sun-protected. You may experience some itching or bruising, but it will go away in a few days. Avoid picking at the area before it fully heals

Drink plenty of fluids. Your body will help in clearing the site of dead cells and infection, making hydration important.

Some warts respond immediately to VBeam laser treatment, but most cases require multiple sessions.

Laser treatment was used to remove the wart on this finger.

Bleomycin Injection

What to expect: Your dermatologist will clean the site and inject an anti-cancer drug into the wart. It should take only a few minutes. Brief, pinpoint bleeding may occur. Bleomycin injection does not require pretreatment preparations.

Is bleomycin treatment of warts painful? A bleomycin shot can cause discomfort on the injection site, but numbing medication is usually not necessary. Warts in the palms and plantar areas may be more sensitive to the injections. Slight tenderness may persist for up to 2 weeks.

Downtime: Bleomycin injections require no downtime. You may proceed with your normal activities after the session.

Aftercare: Rarely, patients experience wart bleeding at home. If this happens, you may dress up the site with clean gauze and elevate the affected body part. Keep the area clean and dry. Call your doctor for persistent bleeding, signs of infection, severe pain or intolerable allergic reactions.

Bleomycin is not injected in a hairy area or close to the nails, as it can affect hair and nail growth. It can also cause uneven skin tone on the wart removal site.

Bleomycin responses vary, but most patients require at least 4 sessions spaced 3-4 weeks apart. Drying up of the wart indicates that the treatment is effective.

The table below compares the recovery processes of the different office wart treatments that we just described.

As in any other health condition, treatment success depends on the care provider’s expertise. However, a large part of your recovery also depends on your adherence to the aftercare regimen. Your doctor at BHSkin Dermatology will discuss other important details with you and walk you through a personalized treatment plan.

Conclusion

In-office wart treatments result in limited skin injury, so recovery depends on factors that can affect wound healing. Foremost of these factors is the type of procedure performed because it also impacts pain management, aftercare, the need for post-treatment activity limitation and treatment efficiency. Choosing the right dermatologist ensures the procedure’s success, but aftercare adherence increases the chances of a speedy recovery.

Stubborn Warts? Not a Problem! The Best LA Dermatologists Got You

Warts are persistent, infectious lesions that can ruin your perfect complexion and become a source of personal distress. Still, they are no match for the expertise of our specialists at BHSkin Dermatology. They can get rid of any stubborn wart without leaving unsightly marks on your skin. Come pay us a visit at our Encino and Glendale clinics or connect with us through our virtual portal for telederm consults.

Book your appointment today so you can be one step closer to having that flawless complexion you’ve always wanted!

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What To Expect After Wart Surgery

What to Expect After Wart Removal

You’ve talked to your doctor about getting rid of your warts. You’ve tried different over-the-counter or home remedies. You realize they will not go away with anything that you have tried and now it is our turn! Your biggest question is what does it take to get rid of a wart?

There are several different ways to get rid of a wart.  You may have already discussed the options for wart removal and which options are best suited to your life style. Your doctor may try a combination of several approaches based on your input.   I will go through these options again to help clarify your choices

Wart Excision

This procedure literally involves cutting out the wart. This is done under local anesthesia and can be performed at the office.  This usually works best on small warts in size or in number since a rim or margin around the wart must be excised as well to help reduce the risk of the wart spreading.

• Dressing: A topical antimicrobial ointment or gel followed by a soft, dressing is placed on your foot. You should keep this clean and dry until the next day, then you may change the dressing daily using only the ointment or gel prescribed by your doctor.
• Weight-bearing: You may be placed in a flat surgical shoe, depending on your particular surgery. You may bear weight to your comfort level.  Some patients may have more discomfort depending on the location of the wart.  Should you have a wart removed in a prominent weight bearing area such as the heel or the ball of the foot, you may need the use of crutches.
• Pain management: Usually, Tylenol or Advil is plenty to allevate the discomfort associated with this prodecure.  Narcotic pain medication may be dispensed, however, depending on the size of the wart. This is usually a codeine based narcotic like Norco or Vicodin. For those patients that are allergic to codeine, Tramadol is commonly used. All narcotics will make you a little sleepy and goofy, or in some cases, actually wired. They may also upset your stomach and make you constipated. Your surgeon may have to prescribe you an anti-nausea medication like Phenergan or Zofran. If you are itching all over, you are having a codeine reaction and should call your doctor.
• Post-operative appointments: Every doctor has their own protocols when it comes to post-operative follow up visits. You should talk to your doctor about their specific protocols.  You will most certainly have an appointment scheduled for follow up.
• Realistic Expectations: A wart is a virus, and like any virus, it is not easy to get rid of.  Most recurrences will happen within a year of resolution. 

Cryotherapy

You may have heard and even tried the over-the-counter freeze sprays to get rid of your wart.  This stuff may penetrate through the smaller superficial warts found on fingers or the top parts of your feet, hands or on the body.  The warts on the bottom of the feet run deeper because the skin in this area is thicker and develops callus.  Your doctor will use a much stronger freeze therapy (cryotherapy) on those resistant warts and several treatments will be required.  Some times additional topical treatment in the form of a mild acid or an anti-viral cream is needed depending on the appearance of the wart.

• Dressing: A band aid is usually protective enough after cryotherapy. If it starts to drain or the area blisters, you should apply an over-the-counter topical antimicrobial ointment (preferably Bacitracin ointment).  If the blister is uncomfortable, soak a needle in rubbing alcohol for 15 minutes, then puncture the blister on the sides of the blister allowing the fluid to escape.   Leave the top of the blister intact.  It will act like Mother Nature’s band aid!
• Weight-bearing: You may wear a regular shoe or sandal to your comfort.
• Pain management: Cryotherapy does not produce any long lasting discomfort and pain medication should not be needed.  If there is any lingering discomfort, Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil should suffice.
• Post-operative appointments: Every doctor has their own protocols when it comes to follow up visits. You should talk to your doctor about their specific protocols.  You will most certainly have an appointment scheduled for follow up.
• Realistic Expectations: A wart is a virus, and like any virus, it is not easy to get rid of.  Most recurrences will happen within a year of resolution. 

We are constantly researching the literature for the latest in wart treatments.  If we find other options, we will certainly offer them to you as well!

Removal of plantar warts

Removal of plantar warts is carried out using 3 modern methods:

• Laser removal
• Radio wave removal (Surgitron device)
• Cryodestruction (removal with liquid nitrogen)

The definitive method of removal is determined in conjunction with the physician at appointment .

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Features of procedure

Removal of plantar warts by laser or radio wave method is performed under local anesthesia. Taking into account the average area of ​​the wart, a fairly decent amount of anesthetic is injected.

Usually the doctor manages to remove all plantar warts in one session. However, if there are a lot of them and they are large, then you can reach the limit on the introduction of painkillers. Then the completion of the removal is carried out in the next session.

On the soles of the feet, the healing time is always long. From a month or more. The soles are too far from the heart, so relatively little blood comes here. When there are chronic diseases of the vessels of the legs, such as atherosclerosis of the arteries or varicose veins, the healing time is even longer.

Plantar warts are growths in the deep layers of the epidermis caused by the human papillomavirus.

They may have a shaft – a darker colored area in the center of the wart with dots in it. The rod consists of a detached epidermis and thrombosed vessels. However, the shaft is not always present in plantar warts. In this case, often people consider them calluses and treat them accordingly, without much sense.

Preparation and process

How to prepare for the procedure

In the sole area, the anesthetic injection itself is painful until the anesthetic takes effect. It is advisable to drink an anesthetic capsule or tablet in half an hour – an hour (after consulting with your doctor) in order to reduce the sensations from the first injection. An hour before the procedure, it is also better to drink 40 drops of motherwort tincture. Loose shoes should be chosen so that after the removal of plantar warts, they do not press on fresh wounds. The foot may slightly increase in size due to swelling caused by the administration of painkillers.

Process description

During the removal of plantar warts, the doctor uses a laser or radio wave knife to destroy those layers of the epidermis that are affected. And it also captures some healthy skin around to destroy the viruses that live there hidden. It is important to clearly define the boundaries and depth of the plantar wart so that there are no parts of it left that give recurrence.

What to do after removal

After the removal of a plantar wart, the wound should be treated with solutions or ointments prescribed by the doctor. Antiseptics, antibiotics are usually prescribed so that there are no infectious complications. It is possible to use antiviral ointments and creams to combat human papillomaviruses. As well as ointments that accelerate healing. You should be patient, the healing process in the sole area is long. The wound can be quite painful when walking, and after a week or two after removal, it can begin to bleed (the newly formed granulation tissue is easily injured during the healing process). For pain, you can take painkillers from the NSAID class inside (analgin, diclofenac, ketonal, and others) or use it in the form of creams and ointments.

Why are plantar warts dangerous?

Plantar warts often grow large, are multiple, disturb when walking. Sometimes they turn into skin cancer. Pigmentless acral melanoma may initially resemble a plantar wart, delaying treatment in this case can lead to death from metastases. Through house shoes, baths and showers, papillomaviruses pass to other people and they also develop plantar warts.

Equipment

In the case of laser removal of plantar warts, a special medical laser device is used, which emits beams that are absorbed by water or blood in the tissues. Due to this specific absorption, water quickly evaporates from the tissues, they dry out with minimal blood loss. In the case of removal of plantar warts by the radio wave method, appropriate devices (surgitron or other brands) are used. In them, electromagnetic radiation with a very high frequency evenly and bloodlessly separates the tissues without burning them.

Consultation with a dermatologist on the day of tumor removal using a dermatoscope up to 2 units.	1200 rub Sign up
Laser removal of viral plantar warts up to 10 mm, for 1 unit.	1800 rub Sign up
Laser removal of viral plantar warts over 10 mm, for 1 unit.	2300 rub Sign up
Cryodestruction of viral plantar warts up to 10 mm, for 1 unit.	1600 rub Sign up
Cryodestruction of viral plantar warts over 10 mm, for 1 unit.	2100 rub Sign up

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Popular questions:

How are plantar warts different from calluses?

Since the presence of the rod does not necessarily have to be based on the location in the first place. Plantar warts are usually located asymmetrically. In places where there was no friction before. They usually don’t go away on their own. For the appearance of corns, constant friction is necessary, with the elimination of friction, corns usually disappear.

Should I be worried that the wound on the foot does not heal for a long time?

On the one hand, prolonged healing for a plantar wart is normal. Even when the wound is completely healed and all the crusts fall off, for a long time the skin above it may be reddish and flaky. On the other hand, plantar warts themselves often recur. See a doctor if in doubt.

What is the best way to remove a plantar wart, laser, radio wave or cryosurgery?

It is best to remove it using the method suggested by the doctor you consulted. All methods are quite modern and effective. Only in the case of constant relapses is it sometimes advisable to change the method of removal to another.

How long does it take for a wart to heal after laser removal?

If a deep neoplasm is removed, especially such as a plantar wart, healing takes up to 2 weeks

How to care for a wart after laser removal

The warts are finally gone.

Only a small wound remained in their place.

She will heal soon.

Unfortunately, not all wart removal operations are successful. Sometimes there are scars. In other cases, inflammation begins. The consequences of removing a wart can be very unpleasant, so you need to take care of the proper healing of the wound.

We will discuss this issue later. For now, let’s briefly talk about the operation to remove warts, and in what cases it is performed.

People remove tumors for various reasons.

Some people don’t like the look and feel of warts.

Others are troubled by discomfort. Sometimes neoplasms grow in uncomfortable places – on the fingers or feet. Here they interfere with comfortable wearing shoes, and are often damaged and inflamed.

Of course, not everyone has such problems.

But there are still a lot of people who want to get rid of warts.

Usually there are no serious obstacles to the operation, and any person can easily remove even a lot of neoplasms.

Few contraindications:

• Pregnancy
• Herpes exacerbation
• Suspicion of melanoma
• Inflammation of the skin adjacent to the wart
• Predisposition to scarring

Doctors use several methods to deal with neoplasms. Most popular:

• Laser therapy
• Cryodestruction
• Surgical removal
• Electrocoagulation

In principle, all methods are effective. But in recent years, patients often prefer laser surgery due to its high efficiency and lack of pain.

Regardless of the method of wart removal, negative consequences are possible.

Yes, they occur less frequently with laser therapy. However, the risk is still there.

It is important to take care of the wound from the removed wart all the time until it heals completely.

This period depends on several factors:

• Neoplasm size

Wounds smaller than a centimeter heal in two weeks. In larger areas, the skin recovers longer – up to a month.

• State of immunity

Strong immune system accelerates healing.

• Follow doctor’s advice

Due to improper care, tissue repair can take several months, and sometimes the wound does not heal at all and a doctor’s help is needed.

As you can see, any patient can speed up rehabilitation after surgery. You just need to be patient and follow the doctor’s instructions – take care of the wound and use the right medicines.

Wound medicines for removed warts

In the early days, protect the wound from infection with antiseptic preparations. There are also substances that dry out the skin.

How to treat the wound after removing the wart?

It is recommended to lubricate the wound with Chlorhexidine at least 2-3 times a day, until a crust appears..

But alcohol solutions and various chemicals are strictly prohibited, as they damage the wound and slow down its healing.

Together with antiseptics, it is useful to use vitamins and tinctures to strengthen the immune system. With them, you will speed up the recovery of the skin and reduce the risk of new warts.

There are cases when the skin around the wound swells – this is normal and usually the swelling disappears in about a week. If it does not disappear, then consult a doctor.

The crust on the wound will fall off by itself. You can not scratch or pick it – this way you can deprive the wound of protection and infect the infection. After the crust disappears, use repair gels and ointments that will speed up the healing of lesions.

The wound should be treated regularly with suitable preparations, but it is important to follow the doctor’s other instructions.

Therapeutic regimen. Rules for care after wart removal

Many unpleasant consequences after wart removal are associated with improper wound care. Including long-term healing of the skin.

Here are a few simple rules that will help restore damaged skin in a short time:

1. Do not dry the wound with a towel. Strong friction can cause infection.

2. Do not take a bath

2 – 3 weeks only shower. Cover the wound with cosmetics, as they can slow down the recovery of the skin.

3. Do not swim in public waters and do not go to the solarium

Refrain from these procedures for two weeks – this way you guarantee normal wound healing.

4. Do not go to the bath and sauna

An unhealed wound is vulnerable to high temperatures, so wash only in the shower for 2 – 3 weeks.

One of the possible problems after surgery is the appearance of a scar or scar. Naturally, no one wants to change one unattractive external feature for another. Fortunately, this is easy to avoid.

First of all, do not cover the wound with a band-aid. Some people consider the patch to be a protection against bacteria, but at the same time, it prevents the inflow of air. Because of it, the wound heals longer.

Young skin at wart site needs sun protection. To restore the skin, it is important not only to treat the damaged area, but also to strengthen the immune system. A course of vitamins A, E, and C will accelerate skin regeneration and improve its elasticity.

After removing the wart, the wound festered. What to do?

See a doctor. He will examine the skin and determine why the infection began.

Also, a doctor’s help is needed when the wound heals for a long time – if it does not disappear even a month after the treatment.

When the operation is harmful. Consequences of laser wart removal

We have already mentioned the possible complications that are associated with the wound from the operation. There aren’t many of them.

The most dangerous consequences of laser wart removal:

• Long healing
• Infection and inflammation of the wound
• The appearance of scars and scars
• Burn
• Allergic reaction
• Incomplete removal of neoplasm

Some complications are caused by the patients themselves. For example, infections and long healing. We talked about how to properly care for a wound after surgery, so let’s move on to other reasons for the dangerous consequences of laser wart removal.

A small percentage of patients suffer from allergies to anesthesia and a predisposition to scarring. This is a serious problem. Ask your doctor about other treatment options. So you can easily choose a method that will allow you to get rid of warts without complications.

There are also complications during laser surgery that depend only on the doctor – severe tissue burns due to incorrect equipment settings and the reappearance of a neoplasm due to tissues not removed.

In the reviews of many patients, the severe consequences of laser wart removal are described.

Some even required additional treatment. That means extra expenses.

The value of the qualifications of the doctor who performs the procedure cannot be underestimated.

Therefore, we suggest contacting the Lasersvit clinic.

Our medical center is not a cheap beauty salon. We employ dermatologists of the highest category with more than 17 years of experience who have examined over 100,000 patients. They are well versed in neoplasms and know well how to remove them. Without pain and scars. Our doctors will explain in detail how to properly care for wounds after surgery at home.

Here are the reviews of Lazersvit patients:

• Svetlana

I was worried about a wart on my finger for a long time. Looks terrible. Always catches the eye and decided to remove it. I was advised laser removal, and I immediately rushed to read reviews about the operation. And there are a lot of positive reviews. As a result, I decided on treatment. It has now been 4 months since the operation, and in general I am satisfied with the result. Doctors from the Lasersvit clinic not only painlessly removed the wart, but also told in detail how to take care of it.

• Hope

Good afternoon. I want to briefly talk about how I removed a wart on my leg. The operation itself was quick and painless. True, the wound did not heal as quickly as we would like – in a month. But acquaintances told about other cases when the wound lasted much longer. So I have nothing to complain about.

• Zhenya

Decided to have three tumors removed from her left leg. I was a little worried, but the doctors said that the operation was safe and painless. The warts were removed quickly, and the wounds healed in just three weeks. Walking was uncomfortable at first, but this is due to the location of the neoplasms. Then it got easier. Now, a month later, there are no unpleasant sensations when walking.

• Nicholas

Good afternoon. I want to tell you how I removed a wart on my arm. The procedure itself is very fast – only five minutes and the neoplasm disappeared. I had to deal with the wound longer – a whole month. But I did everything as the doctors advised, and as a result, young skin grew, and there were almost no traces of the operation. Therefore, I am glad that I applied to LaserSweet.

• Natalia

I read a lot of positive reviews about laser wart removal. As a result, she herself decided on the operation, when an unsightly neoplasm popped up on her index finger.