Wart removal

Wart removal Melbourne

Viral warts are a huge inconvenience and can be both painful and embarrassing. These skin growths are caused by a viral infection within the skin, called human papilloma virus or HPV. They are contagious and can be spread via surfaces or skin contact. Typically, warts are found on your palms or soles, genitals or face; however, they can affect anywhere on the skin.

Warts are particularly common in childhood and affect about 15% of school children. It is estimated that warts affect up to 80% of Australians at some point in their life.

We offer many different methods to treat viral warts, if they are stubborn or cause pain, these include:

  • regular 2 weekly cryotherapy (freezing) with liquid nitrogen
  • regular paring and application of Cantharidin solution (extract of blister beetle)
  • high concentration Salicylic acid application
  • regular occlusion with adhesive tape
  • Imiquimod or Podophyllotoxin application for genital warts
  • DCP (Diphenylcyclopropenone) application, an immune system stimulator

 

Many of these treatments irritate the warts to allow your immune system opportunity to fight the virus, so that you can become immune and the wart disappears.
For very stubborn warts we occasionally offer electrosurgery (curettage and cautery), following local anaesthetic injection.

We recommend an initial consultation with one of our dermatologists, both to confirm diagnosis and to discuss which of these treatment options would suit you best. Choice depends on many factors, such as time to attend for treatments, previous failed treatments and cost.