Surgically Removing Warts

Nearly everyone has heard the old "If a frog pees on you, you'll get a wart" myth. In reality, warts are caused by transmittable viruses, particularly the human papillomavirus. They are most commonly found on the hands, feet, face and genitals.

Treatment

• The majority of warts are easily treated with over-the-counter products, such as salicylic acid. However, some warts are more severe and must be removed with surgery.

Cryotherapy

• Cryotherapy is the procedure of freezing warts with liquid nitrogen. The freezing process destroys the cells, thereby causing the wart to blister and eventually fall off.

Cauterization

• Cauterization, or electrosurgery, works in basically the same way as cryotherapy. However, through cauterization the wart is burned and tissue is destroyed by electrical means.

Curretage

• Curretage is the removal of warts through cutting or abrasion. The wart is removed using a sharp object, which can cause scarring.

Laser Surgery

• Laser surgery is performed by placing a powerful ray of light on the wart, causing it to burn. The area of surgery is numbed before removal. Laser surgery is recommended as a last option and is generally for large warts.

Considerations

• Most surgical methods for wart removal are safe and successful. Recurrence is expected in some patients. Laser surgery is the most expensive and risky of wart removal options. Most wart removal procedures require three or more treatments.