OVERVIEW

Warts are a type of skin infection are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. There are more than a 100 types of HPV viruses responsible for warts. Common Viral warts can occur on skin of hands, feet, arms, face etc.

Wrats can also occur on inside of mouth, genital and rectal area (genital warts). We do not offer treatment for genital warts.

 Warts may disappear on their own with time, but it may take years.

Common symptoms such as increase in size, itching, pain, tenderness, bleeding following trauma and embarassment may warrant early treatment of common warts.

Warts may recur following treatment.

Viral warts can be contagious and passed to other individuals through direct contact or through sharing towels and other personal use items

TREATMENT

Warts respond variably to treatment measures.

Over-the-counter treatments for warts include salicylic-acid preparations and freezing kits.

Several methods are used to treat warts by Physicians; Liquid Nitrogen freeze, may need several treatments, is painful and can results in area of depigmentation. Medications such as Imiquimod helps fight warts by boosting body’s immune system. Chemicals such as Cantharidin causes dermal blistering in an effort to remove warts.

Surgical removal or laser removal may be needed for larger warts, both can lead to scarring.

Dr. Malik primarily uses Immune therapy to treat warts. It leads to destruction of wart by activating your immune system.1 to 6 treatments are done depending on individual response to treatment. 50% of all affected people have complete resolution of warts with one treatment. The other 50% may need additional treatments. The advantages of this method over traditional treatments are; No scarring, No hypopigmentation and ability to treat multiple warts at one time. It also imparts immunity to HPV reducing a chance of recurrence .  Dr. Malik has combined treatment modalities in the past to treat resistant warts, large warts or facial warts while reducing a chance of scarring or hypopigmentation.

If you have common viral warts and have had failure to Over the counter or traditional Medical treatments, call our office to make an appointment. Dr. Malik will be glad to provide you a complimentary consultation to see if we can treat your condition.