Treatment for Warts Near Houston, TX

A common skin condition, warts are most often seen on the palms, fingers, and near the fingernails. They typically look like little, fleshy peas, but they may vary in size. Patients may also notice that warts appear in clusters on the elbows and knees. Warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Though usually harmless, warts may look unsightly or feel bothersome. Over-the-counter wart removal products aren't strong enough so Dr. Catherine Papasakelariou provides wart removal at her office in Houston, TX. If you want to remove a wart, schedule an appointment with Dr. Papasakelariou at Houston Premier Dermatology.

Warts happen because of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Generally, they spread by people with skin-to-skin contact. You can also come into contact with warts by something a wart has previously touched, like exercise equipment or a phone. Warts are easier to contract through a scrape or cut so areas that patients frequently shave, including the legs, face, or under the arms, have at greater risk at contracting the skin disease.

Even after your initial treatment, warts can reoccur so Dr. Papasakelariou can determine the best treatment to reduce future outbreaks. Freezing a wart is a common treatment and is performed with success. With this method, Dr. Papasakelariou applies liquid nitrogen to the wart. A blister will form around it, and the dead tissues will fall off within a week. Another treatment is using cantharidin, a substance that causes inflammation of the skin when applied to a wart. This chemical is placed on the skin to create a blister around the wart. Because this treatment causes little to no pain, cantharidin is a common and popular treatment. Burning (electrosurgery) or freezing with cryotherapy is another popular treatment, as well as scraping with a curette or excising (cutting) the wart(s). If the wart(s) is difficult to remove, Dr. Papasakelariou may select chemical peels, laser treatments, bleomycin injections, or immunotherapy treatment.

Common wart symptoms include lumps that feel grainy, tender, and fleshy at the top. The area near the wart can also feel rough. Warts may appear on all parts of the body. Dr. Papasakelariou selects the best treatment type, depending on the location and type of wart. Specific types of warts include plantar warts, flat warts, or genital warts. Plantar warts develop on the soles of the feet. Also known as foot warts, they look like brown or flesh-colored lumps and usually have tiny, black spots. Flat warts appear smoother and smaller compared to other types. Flat warts can develop anywhere, but patients commonly find them on the legs and face. If you have genital warts, these appear as pink or red flesh-colored growths near the pubic area, vaginal region, or anus. Sometimes, genital warts may itch or bleed and can spread quickly.

Although many warts are benign, you probably want it removed as soon as possible. Instead of spending money on home products, have your wart(s) treated by an experienced professional, like dermatologist Dr. Papasakelariou. She will analyze the wart(s) to determine the type and create the best treatment plan for you. Contact Houston Premier Dermatology in Houston, TX to schedule an appointment to treat current warts and reduce future outbreaks.