Plantar Wart Surgical Removal

Warts can be raised, smooth or flat and can grow on any part of your body. People frequently get them on their hands and feet. Warts are considered a skin growth that is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), according to Treatmentsforhealth.com. Generally, warts are benign, but sometimes they can be cancerous. If you are in contact with someone who is susceptible to this same virus, warts can be contagious.

Plantar Warts

• Plantar warts are a little different from a common wart, according to Medterms.com. Plantar warts appear on the feet and are mostly like to be flat. They can create a buildup of calluses. The calluses must be peeled away from the wart before you can see it. It is believed that plantar warts can attack blood vessels deep in the skin. These warts can hurt. Don't wear someone else's shoes. This is a good way to avoid getting plantar warts.

Keratolysis

• Consider undergoing keratolysis to treat the warts. Keratolysis involves the application of salicylic acid, which is a blistering agent. The acid is applied to your wart and then the doctor will use a pumice stone to rub against the skin. A blade will be used to cut out the wart.

Debridement

• According to Dr. Robert Rosenstein, debridement is usually not a good option for removal of plantar warts because it can cause scars. Instead, this procedure is best used when several small warts situated in a limited area need to be removed. If you are undergoing debridement, you will be given an anesthetic. Debridement can be done along with the use of an acid, which will destroy the wart virus and prevent the return of warts.

Electrocautery

• Electrocautery, where the wart is burned, is often used. If you have a pacemaker, make sure that your physician knows this before he performs electrocautery. According to Healthsquare.com, the area that is being targeted will be numbed prior to the procedure. A thin, needle-like tool will touch the wart. The wart may appear to be bubbling when this is done.

Laser

• Laser beams can be used to burn off warts. Cutting is not required. Laser treatments are also referred to as CO2 laser cautery. Laser treatment results in very little scarring and this treatment is generally quite effective, according to Rosenstein.

Cryosurgery

• Cryosurgery involves a topical application of liquid nitrogen, which is put directly onto the wart. When this is done, a blister forms between the outer layer of skin and the wart. The wart is frozen by the liquid nitrogen. Eventually, the skin surrounding the wart dies and falls off as does the wart. When cryosurgery is used, the cold liquid may sting a bit when it is applied and the wart area may turn white. Once the dead tissue is removed, it may be sent to the lab for tests.

Antigens

• Antigens, which are foreign particles that are injected into the body, according to Scizmic.net, can be directly injected into the wart. This will prompt the immune system to spring into action. When it does, this will eradicate the virus that is producing the wart. When antigens are injected, the body produces antibodies, which fight against the antigens.

  Some dermatologists use curettage to remove warts. When this technique is used, the wart is cut into slices and is then scraped or scooped out of the skin. The Cleveland Clinic explains that a surgical procedure may need to be done when the warts have not responded to other techniques for removal. When a wart is cut away from the skin, the base of the wart will be destroyed by an electric needle. Or, when using cryosurgery, the base will be frozen.