Warts Specialist

What are warts?

Warts are hard, skin-colored growths that form just beneath the surface of your skin. They occur when the human papillomavirus enters your body through cuts or scrapes. 

Warts are especially common in children and teens, but they can occur at any age. If you have warts and they’re interfering with your quality of life, contact the team at Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago right away. 

What are the symptoms of warts?

Symptoms of warts include:

• Small, hardened bumps 
• Flesh-colored growths that have a black dot in the middle
• Growths that are rough to the touch
• Growths that are sensitive to pressure

Most warts are small and resolve on their own. But if you have a wart that’s painful, itchy, or constantly growing, it’s important to get it checked out.

How are warts diagnosed?

To diagnose warts, your Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago provider reviews your health history and asks about your symptoms. Then, they examine your warts, gently pressing on them to determine if they’re sensitive to the touch. 

If your provider suspects the lesion is something other than a wart, they might order a skin biopsy. To do that, your provider carefully removes a piece of the wart. Then, they send it to a laboratory for further analysis. 

How are warts treated?

The team at Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago offers a variety of outpatient treatments to remove warts.

 Depending on your age, health history, and the location of the wart, they might recommend:

• Removing the wart with salicylic acid
• Removing the wart with cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen)
• Removing the wart during minor surgery
• Laser surgery

By removing the wart, it’s possible to relieve side effects like itching or soreness and prevent the virus from spreading. 

Is there any way to prevent warts?

There’s no way to prevent warts entirely, but you can lower your risk of developing them. The team at Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago recommends:

• Not picking or scratching at your warts
• Avoiding bad habits like nail-biting
• Not sharing nail clippers or emery boards with others
• Avoid shaving areas of skin that have warts

Following these guidelines can keep your skin in optimal condition and prevent warts from developing in the future. 

If you have warts and want to have them removed, make an appointment with the team at Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago. Call the office or use the online scheduling feature today.