Effective Wart Treatment With a Dermatologist You Can Trust
Warts may be small, but they can quickly become a big nuisance. Whether they’re painful, persistent, or simply hard to ignore, warts often require more than over-the-counter remedies to fully resolve. At Aberdeen Dermatology Associates, our board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ty Hanson provides personalized wart treatment that’s both effective and skin-friendly for patients of all ages.
What Causes Warts?
Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters through tiny cuts or abrasions, often affecting high-use areas such as the hands, feet, knees, and face. Although generally harmless, warts are contagious and can spread through direct skin contact or shared surfaces.
Common Types of Warts
- Common warts – Rough, raised bumps that usually appear on the hands and fingers.
- Plantar warts – Found on the soles of the feet and may feel like you’re walking on pebbles.
- Flat warts – Small, smooth lesions that often appear in clusters on the face, legs, or arms.
- Filiform warts – Thread-like growths typically found around the mouth, nose, or chin.
- Periungual warts – Develop around or under the nails and may affect nail growth.
Warts are more common in children, adolescents, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
When to See a Dermatologist
While some warts resolve on their own, many are stubborn or return after treatment. You should schedule an appointment if:
- The wart is painful, bleeding, or changing in appearance
- Home treatments haven’t worked after several weeks
- The wart spreads or multiplies
- You’re unsure whether the growth is actually a wart
- You have diabetes or a weakened immune system
Prompt care helps prevent warts from spreading—to others or to different areas of your own body.
How Warts Spread
HPV spreads through direct human contact or exposure to contaminated surfaces. The virus enters more easily through areas with cuts, scrapes, or frequent friction. Warts often appear on areas that are shaved regularly—such as men’s faces or women’s legs—because shaving can create tiny abrasions.
Contact your dermatologist promptly if a wart:
- Becomes painful
- Shows signs of infection or drainage
- Bleeds or scabs
- Changes color
Some HPV strains cause genital warts, which are treated differently. Genital warts can increase the risk of cervical cancer, so individuals who believe they’ve been exposed should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Professional Wart Treatments That Work
At Aberdeen Dermatology Associates, we offer several safe and effective in-office wart treatment options:
- Cryotherapy-Freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen to destroy infected tissue.
- Prescription Topicals - Medical-grade topical treatments that promote wart shedding and virus clearance.
- Laser Therapy -Targeted light energy to treat deep or stubborn warts resistant to other therapies.
Your treatment plan is customized based on the type of wart, its location, and your medical history.
Care That’s Clear, Caring, and Focused on You
Warts may be common, but your skin deserves exceptional care. At Aberdeen Dermatology Associates, we understand that even small skin concerns can impact your comfort and confidence. That’s why we take the time to listen, examine, and treat with precision.
To schedule an appointment in Aberdeen, SD, call us at (605) 226-0560. We are proud to provide trusted dermatologic care for families throughout the region.