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Warts are one of the most common dermatological conditions that are embarrassing and upsetting to most of their victims. The small, rough growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) do not only appear on the skin but also in body parts. Fortunately, there are various methods to remove warts from a person's body, inclusive of OTC remedies and natural methods. Whether you live in Birmingham or anywhere else, sometimes finding the best solution when eliminating warts indeed changes your life. The following article will explore the best options for removing warts, the most potent over-the-counter wart treatments, natural remedies for warts, and professional medical treatments for warts.
Understanding Warts: Causes and Types
What Causes Warts?
There are a variety of different types of warts brought about by different strains of the virus known as HPV. It easily can be passed via skin-to-skin contact or by touching something that is infected with the virus. When the virus enters the skin, it grows inside the top layer of the skin, producing a wart.
Warts have more than a dozen different varieties; however, different treatments may be needed for each of these varieties. These include:
Common Warts: It appears on hands mainly as very smooth, raised lumps.
Plantar Warts: These are flat lesions that appear on the soles of the feet. Some of these causes may cause pain if the pressure is too extreme when walking someone.
Flat Warts: These are small and nearly flat, typically appearing on the face, neck, or hands.
Filiform Warts: Long and thin, these usually appear around the mouth or eyes.
Genital Warts: These warts appear in the genital area and require special treatment.
Over the Counter Wart Remover
Salicylic Acid Remedies
Salicylic acid is one of the most popular and well-selling OTC wart removers. This potent acid removes layers of the wart and takes them away. It is available in the form of liquid, gel, or adhesive patches. Salicylic acid remedy is usually applied daily for the best result.
Preparation: Soak the wart in warm water for 5-10 minutes.
Gently remove dead skin with a pumice stone.
Apply salicylic acid directly to the wart.
Cover the wart with a bandage and repeat daily.
Cryotherapy Kits
Another product commonly used to clear warts in Birmingham is the OTC cryotherapy kit. These kits usually have a freezing agent called dimethyl ether applied directly to the wart. Such kits are generally less potent than liquid nitrogen used by doctors but may be effective for smaller wart sizes.
How does Cryotherapy Work?
The freezing agent causes the cells to die, which eventually leads to the fall of the wart. Professional cryotherapy is necessary when warts are too big or if the warts persist.
Wart Removal Pads
Wart removal pads are one of the various OTC remedies for warts; they consist of salicylic acid. Such pads work through continuous delivery of the active ingredient to the wart and are quite convenient for busy people.
How to Use Wart Removal Pads
Clean the wart area properly before applying the treatment.
Apply the patch on the wart, so that it sticks properly.
Change the patch as instructed. Generally, changing patches is advised after every 24-48 hours.
Home Remedies to Remove Warts
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the more popular home remedies for wart removal. It has acidic properties which help break down the wart tissue slowly, like salicylic acid.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar
Soak a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar.
Apply it to the wart and cover it up with a bandage.
Let it sit overnight and remove it in the morning.
Apply it every day until the wart disappears.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is another natural remedy used for getting rid of warts because of its antiviral and antibacterial properties that can be used. Compared to chemicals, this treatment method of using tea tree oil takes longer to remove the warts but can offer a gentle solution for delicate skin.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil to Get Rid of Warts
Apply a few drops of tea tree oil to the wart.
Cover it with a bandage and keep overnight for several hours.
Continue the process daily until the wart disappears.
Banana Peel
That's right, banana peels are another natural treatment that can help get rid of warts. The inner side of the peel is filled with enzymes and compounds that can break down warts.
How to Use Banana Peel for Warts
Massage the inner skin side of a banana peel on the wart at night.
Place a portion of the peel over the wart and tape it with a bandage.
Repeat this treatment for several weeks to begin noticing the result.
Wart Removal Experts in Birmingham
Wart Doctor through Cryotherapy
Sometimes, the professional cryotherapy from a dermatologist in Birmingham is the only remedy for warts that won't budge to over-the-counter treatments or home remedies. Professional cryotherapy makes use of liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen freezes the wart tissue much more effectively than any OTC cryotherapy kits.
What to Expect from Professional Cryotherapy
The medical practitioner applies liquid nitrogen onto the wart and will freeze almost immediately.
It will turn black, shrink, and fall off within the following weeks.
For large or persistent warts, several sessions may be required
Laser Wart Removal
Laser removal of warts of Birmingham is a relatively new procedure that is extremely effective to remove warts. It employs a laser beam that destroys only the wart-affected tissue, while creating minimal discomfort with rapid recovery.
Advantage of Laser Wart Removal
Precise and fast. It destroys only the wart tissue.
Least risk of scarring.
Suitable for warts that don't respond to other treatments.
Surgical Excision
In some instances, warts should be surgically removed especially where they are big, painful or resistant to other treatments. Surgical excision is literally cutting out the wart or the affected skin and may entail stitches especially for larger warts.
When to Use Surgical Removal
When warts are severely painful.
If warts grow back after other treatments.
For large warts which can't be easily treated with other treatments.
Which one is right for you?
Factors in decision
There are several determinants of which wart removal birmingham will be best suited to your specific case. These depend on the type of wart that you have, where the wart is located, and possibly your personal preference. In many cases, a number of Birmingham individuals find it easy to use and quite effective with small warts with over-the-counter treatments such as salicylic acid or cryotherapy kits. For someone looking at something that is a little less abrasive, possibly natural remedies such as apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil would do the trick.
When to Seek a Doctor
If the warts don't respond to home remedy or natural treatments, or whenever they become painful and started spreading, it is already advisable for people to visit their doctors. Birmingham-based dermatologists can provide more effective remedies such as professional cryotherapy, laser therapy, or surgical removal of the warts.
Conclusion
Be it an over-the-counter solution, a natural remedy, or professional treatment, wart removal no longer has to be the scary process as it once was. Many of these options are now accessible so that every individual can find one that fits his or her lifestyle and needs. If you are located in Birmingham and are suffering from persistent warts, then considering dermatologic consultation is the most sensible thing to do.