Welcome to Aglow Dermatology’s  Wart Removal NYC page. We are here to help inform and educate. So let’s start with the basics. . .
What is a Wart?
A wart is a skin lesion caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus causes the skin cells to grow faster and thicken creating a layer that may be smooth, scaly, or brushlike. Sometimes there are black dots visible in a wart that represents tiny blood clots.
Wart Removal NYC Contents
What is a Wart Caused By?
Warts usually occur when there is some disruption in the skin that allows the human papillomavirus (HPV) to get in. When the immune system is unable to keep the infection under control, a wart will grow.
Wart Types
Common Warts
Warts can appear anywhere in the body, common warts are usually found on the hands and feet.
Plantar Wart
Plantar warts are warts that are found on the sole of the feet and can be very deep, painful, and difficult to remove.
Flat Wart
Flat warts are warts that tend to be thinner and less scaly. They commonly appear on the face and legs or other areas that people shave. The micro-injuries from shaving on the skin spread the virus.
Filiform Wart
What is a filiform wart? It is a wart that has a brushlike appearance.
Periungual Wart
Periungual warts are warts that appear on the fingers and toes around the nails. They can be difficult to treat because the infection can travel and hide under the nail.
Genital Warts
Genital warts, also known as anogenital warts or Condyloma Acuminatum, are warts that appear on the genitals, anal area, and also in the mouth.
Condyloma Acuminatum are usually sexually transmitted. These types of warts are of more concern as there are more likely to be associated with HPV infections that increase the risk of cancer.
It can be difficult to determine where someone contracted their genital warts because outbreaks can occur years after the initial infection of HPV. Further, people who are infected but have never had warts can still spread the infection to others without having an outbreak.
Common Wart vs. Plantar Wart - On the Foot
A wart on the back of the foot would be a common wart. A wart on the sole would be considered a plantar wart.
HPV Types
As mentioned above, warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are several subtypes of HPV. Each type has a preference for certain parts of the body and some are associated with an increased risk of cancer.
For example: Cervical and perianal cancers are associated with certain HPV types which are different than the HPV subtype Condyloma Acuminatum, or genital warts. As both subtypes are sexually transmitted, a person who is infected with one has a higher probability of having the other.
This is one of the reasons that it is recommended that sexually active people should have pap smears.
HPV is an opportunistic infection, meaning that you can have the infection chronically without getting sick unless your immune system allows it to.
Additional Information:
Are Warts Contagious?
Yes, you can get infected with HPV from another person or a contaminated surface. Most people will develop some kind of HPV infection during their life; however, they may never develop a wart.
Do Warts go Away on Their Own?
Will a wart go away on its own?
Sometimes it takes years for warts to go away on their own, but yes they can go away on their own.
A wart is an opportunistic infection; therefore, there is a chance that the immune system will not allow it to ever surface. Many people; however, have a difficult time clearing their warts without intervention. Most treatments focus on physically or chemically destroying the wart or stimulating the immune system to fight the infection.
One can also have HPV and not develop a wart infection for years, and in some cases, they may never.
So . . . how do you treat warts?
Wart Treatments
Wart removal will involve either physical or chemical destruction of the lesion or stimulation of an immune response to the infection.
Most techniques require multiple treatments over several weeks.
At home Wart Treatments
Most medically backed at-home wart treatments without a prescription involve chemo-destruction with a lower concentration of salicylic acid.
There is some evidence that you can treat with duct tape for wart.
What Kind of Doctor Removes Warts?
Many types of doctors can treat warts.
- Dermatologists, who are the skin experts, tend to treat all types of external warts and offer the most options.
- Podiatrists will treat plantar warts.
- Urologists, gynecologists, and sometimes surgeons treat anogenital warts.
Pediatricians, internists, and family doctors sometimes treat warts also.
How do Doctors Remove Warts?
How warts are removed will depend on the location, size, and type as well as pain tolerance. Techniques either require chemical or physical destruction of the wart or need to stimulate an immune response.
- Physical - shaving, pairing, cryotherapy -
- Chemical destruction - salicylic acid, Trichloroacetic acid(TCA), cantharidin, podophyllotoxin, 5-fluorouracil
- Immunotherapy for warts - alpha-interferon, HPV vaccine.
Treatment requires multiple visits over several weeks to months. Because the HPV infection is chronic, warts can reoccur.
Schedule a Consultation Wart Removal NYC
To schedule an appointment for a wart removal NYC session or an HPV-type consultation, please call us at 212-627-1004 or fill out an online contact form and our office will be in touch with you. Thank you for choosing Aglow Dermatology in NYC!
Read what our patients are saying!
" Dr. Dina Strachan, is a phenomenal dermatologist and professional. She treated my skin for excessive dryness and performed electromagnetic laser treatment on my face. The process was easy and she has me looking 10 years younger. I trust her as a professional, and have every confidence that the results as always will be superb! I highly recommend her services and encourage all to seek her out if you have any challenge with respect to her exceptional dermatological talent. You will be pleased! RPL "
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