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Wart Removal in Seattle, WA

Wart Removal in Seattle, WA

I was very pleased to have their office accommodate me since I was a new patient and got to see the doctor that week once I had my referral. Staff is awesome. Dr. Wu gave me the correct cream to heal my eczema and within two days my skin was back to normal. I would recommend this office to anyone who has skin issues. – JULIE B. M.

Warts can be painful as well as a source of self-consciousness for those who have them. Luckily, they can be removed quickly and effectively here at North Sound Dermatology. Our board-certified dermatologists offer a variety of wart removal procedures for patients in Seattle, Everett, and the surrounding areas.

What is a Wart?

A wart is a skin growth caused by contact with types of human papillomavirus (HPV). It typically penetrates the skin through cuts or scrapes. The virus causes cells to grow rapidly, leading to the formation of a wart. Your immune system could be more susceptible to HPV, which means you are more likely to develop warts. It is possible to re-infect yourself by exposing uninfected areas to the wart, so it’s important to get warts taken care of quickly.

What Type of Wart Do I Have?

Warts come in a couple different varieties, characterized by their location and appearance. Your wart may fall under one of the following categories:

  • Common Warts – The most common types of warts, these grow most often on the hands. They are rough and grayish-brown in color.
  • Plantar Warts – Most commonly found on the soles of the feet, plantar warts are hard, thick patches of skin. They frequently cause discomfort when walking, and can be pushed further under the skin and worsened if not treated.
  • Flat Warts – Flat warts are flat on top and smaller in size, and are typically spread by shaving. They appear on the face, arms or legs.
  • Filiform Warts – These warts commonly appear around the mouth, nose, or beard area. They are the same color as the skin.
  • Periungual Warts – These warts grow under and around the fingernails and toenails, and can negatively affect nail growth.

How is a Wart Removed?

Some warts go away within months or years without any treatment. If warts become painful, begin to spread, or are unsightly, there are different options for treatment. Smaller warts can be treated at home, while warts that are severe or numerous may require a dermatologist. These warts can be frozen, a method referred to as cyrotherapy. They can also be surgically removed by electrosurgery or laser surgery, which burn off the wart. Additionally, they can be removed through curettage, which involves cutting off the wart. These treatments are done under local anesthetic to prevent any discomfort.

How is Recovery from Wart Removal?

Recovery usually depends on the method of removal used. For more intensive removals, you may experience minor discomfort for the days or weeks following treatment. Warts that require topical treatments for removal will cause little to no discomfort as the wart gradually disappears.

Since warts can begin to spread if left untreated, most people opt to get them removed as soon as possible. If you are unsure what treatment is right for you or you would like to schedule a consultation, contact us today. We offer treatment to those in Seattle, Everett, and the surrounding areas. Learn more about our insurance policy.