Human papillomavirus causes various types of skin growths known as warts. These benign growths appear when the virus infects the top layer of skin, usually through a small cut or abrasion. While many of these growths eventually disappear without intervention, medical professionals provide specialized treatments to resolve persistent or painful cases. Understanding the symptoms and available clinical options helps determine the appropriate time for a formal evaluation.
Identifying Common Skin Warts
Common warts typically manifest as rough, grainy bumps on the hands or fingers. These growths often feature tiny black dots, which indicate clotted blood vessels, not “seeds” or roots. Although warts frequently occur on extremities, the human papillomavirus can spread to other areas through direct contact or shared items such as towels. Because the virus thrives in warm, moist environments, public showers and locker rooms can be common sites for transmission.
Plantar warts develop on the soles of the feet and often grow inward due to the pressure of walking. These growths sometimes cause significant discomfort, mimicking the sensation of having a stone in a shoe. Consequently, physical activity or standing for long periods may become difficult when these growths are located on weight-bearing surfaces. Medical providers distinguish these from calluses by looking for disrupted skin lines or pinpoint bleeding when the surface is debrided.
Knowing When to Seek Help
Professional evaluation may become necessary when a growth changes in appearance or begins to bleed. Rapid changes in color, size, or shape could indicate a different skin condition that requires a biopsy or diagnostic testing. If over-the-counter treatments fail to remove the growth after several weeks, a clinician may be able to reach deeper layers of the skin where the virus resides.
Individuals with diabetes or weakened immune systems may avoid self-treatment and seek immediate professional care for any foot growths. If multiple clusters appear or if the growths interfere with daily tasks, specialized intervention can prevent further spreading. Prompt treatment may reduce the likelihood of autoinoculation, which occurs when a person spreads the virus to other parts of their own body.
Reviewing Professional Removal Options
Clinical cryotherapy involves applying liquid nitrogen to freeze the growth, creating a blister that eventually peels away. The body then sheds the dead skin cells, allowing healthy tissue to reform over several weeks. Repeated sessions may be required to completely eradicate the virus from the affected area.
Surgical excision or electrosurgery allows a provider to physically remove the growth using specialized tools or heat. These procedures are typically reserved for larger growths or those that have resisted other forms of therapy. Alternatively, topical medications containing high concentrations of salicylic acid or cantharidin offer a non-invasive way to clear the skin. Because these prescriptions are stronger than retail versions, they often yield faster results for deep-seated viral infections.
Learn More About Wart Removal
Professional care can diagnose skin growths to rule out more serious health concerns, and medical offices provide a sterile environment for procedures, which may lower the risk of secondary bacterial infections. When home remedies do not achieve the desired result, visiting a specialist may yield a personalized plan that addresses the specific location and severity of the viral growth. For more information about wart removal, consult a healthcare provider near you.