Should You Remove Warts & Verrucae? Advice from Dermatologists

Many of us will find that a wart or verruca appears on our skin at some point in our lives. These are small lumps that form on various parts of the body and whilst they usually go away on their own, they can hang around for months or even years at a time.

These usually are not harmful, but they can create some form of discomfort, so many people consider having them removed. In this article, Skin Inspection dermatology clinic in London share their advice on whether you should remove your warts and verrucae or leave them where they are.

What is a wart?

A wart is a small, harmless lump of skin that is usually caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It tends to be the same colour as the rest of your skin, although it can look darker on dark skin and will feel rough to the touch. They are most common in school age children, but they can occur at any point.

There are many different forms of wart and whilst the common wart can appear as a small, raised area of skin with a rough surface, plane or flat warts tend to be yellow in colour and found on the hands or face. Plantar warts appear on your sole, heel or toes whilst filiform warts form in clusters on the face.

The HPV virus is spread through direct contact with the skin of someone carrying the virus or through contaminated surfaces like swimming pools and gyms. HPV then infects the outer layer of the skin, causing skin cells to grow and form a wart, which could take up to a year to appear.

What is a verruca?

Verrucae are types of warts which grow on the sole of the foot or near the toes. They are actually a form of plantar wart caused by the human papillomavirus and are most common in teenagers, children and young adults. They are often spread through things like changing rooms as these will contain contaminated surfaces.

Whilst a verruca is harmless, it can occasionally cause a sharp burning pain if it is located on the ball or the heel of the foot. It will go away by itself, but this can take many months.

Should I remove my wart or verruca?

There are a number of at -home remedies that you can use to treat warts and verruca, However, if this does not work you may want to see a specialist to have it removed, particularly if it is causing you any discomfort. One of the most common ways to remove a wart or verruca is through a process called cryotherapy. This involves applying liquid nitrogen to the area which creates an extreme cold that will freeze the wart, making it easier to remove.

A doctor may also choose to use a laser to remove your wart under local anaesthetic. This uses burning to destroy the relevant skin cells, but it can sometimes leave behind a scar.

Warts and verrucae are not usually a problem and can often be dealt with by over-the-counter solutions, however turning to a dermatologist can ensure you get rid of them much more quickly and easily. This can be done in a matter of a few treatments with successful results; however, it is important that you take the time to understand any potential side effects or scarring that may occur.

If you are considering treatment for a wart or verruca, then take the time to speak to a doctor first to understand whether it is necessary. They will be able to outline all the available options and their risks so that you can make an informed choice over what is best for you.