Noticed new growth on your skin or painful bumps? Warts often don’t pose any serious health risks, but they can be difficult to deal with, especially if they are located on an area that is visible or that makes it hard to go about your daily life. There are many treatments available to help remove warts because they are so common, including wart freezing kits, topical creams, and salicylic acid pads. However, all of them are not created equal and may not work for every person. At-home wart freezing kits and topical creams are often found at pharmacies and grocery stores, but will they actually help provide relief? In this blog, we will look at how these kits work and when to seek dermatological help.
How Wart Freezing Kits Actually Work
Cryotherapy is the process that a wart freezing kit uses to help reduce the size or eliminate a wart from your body. Using pressurized canisters with butane or liquid nitrogen, the kit puts out compressed air as a cooling agent, which is where the word “freezing” comes from. This intense cold can help with cellular destruction and cause the body to form a blister that will then detach from the newer skin.
Thicker Roots May Not Be Destroyed
While holding the spray a few inches from the skin will put out compressed air at about -50 degrees Fahrenheit, this may not be enough to get deep into the skin. These freezing temperatures are damaging to the skin, causing pain to the surrounding area when you have to spray the freezing kit for longer. A dermatologist will use liquid nitrogen that is applied in small amounts closer to the skin (about 320 degrees below zero), which will freeze the skin rapidly and reach deeper than over-the-counter products.
Other At-Home Wart Removal Methods
Peeling and freezing are the two most common methods for wart removal at home. Peeling is done through salicylic acid and comes in multiple forms, including pads, ointments, or patches. These products contain a small amount of salicylic acid and should be worn or used over the course of two to three weeks for optimal results.
Wart freezing kits are the most effective, especially if the wart is small. Since the spray directly kills the tissue, you may notice results faster than salicylic acid peeling methods. After a few days, you may start to see the wart disappear, but it could take up to a week to be fully removed.
When To Seek Help From A Dermatologist
Seeing a dermatologist for all your skin conditions is a good practice, especially if you have a history of skin cancer. Dermatologists will be able to easily diagnose different skin conditions and recommend the best way to proceed. This is especially helpful for skin issues that can be spread across the body or to other people. Going to a dermatologist’s office will also give you access to strong products and professional treatment, not available at a pharmacy or convenience store.
If a wart freezing kit doesn’t provide results, you may need to seek further help to remove a painful wart. Particularly stubborn warts may need to be removed through surgical methods. Dermatologists commonly use lasers or excision to remove warts or skin cancer growths.
If a virus or underlying condition causes your wart, dermatologists may use certain drugs and treatments to address the underlying cause. Immunotherapy may be done topically or injected to prevent further warts.
How To Avoid Warts In The First Place
Instead of finding wart freezing kits and meeting with a dermatologist to have a wart removed, avoiding them in the first place is the best practice. This is not always doable since warts are quite common, but some practices you can implement to limit your risk include:
- Avoid direct contact with those who have warts
- Wear foot protection in public showers, pools, or locker rooms
- Cover cuts and scrapes with a bandage
- Don’t share towels, razors, or clothing with others
- Keep your feet dry and change damp socks quickly
Wart Removal From Dermatology West
When you experience a growth on your skin, seeking help from a dermatologist can help give you peace of mind and better health for the future. Our team at Dermatology West offers wart removal for patients, no matter where they are located. Warts can be a cosmetic problem or a viral infection that continues to haunt you for years. Our dermatology team can help remove your wart with precision and have you back to your daily routine in no time. Dermatology West offers highly personalized skincare for those who want to love the skin they’re in. Reach out to our Farr West office to schedule your appointment today.