A wart is a very common benign tumor that grows above the skin and can appear on almost any area of the body. One particular variety, flat warts, have a smooth appearance rather than the usual rough texture, and most often are found in clusters on the hands, face or legs. Wart removal is usually a challenge since they can spread through person-to-person contact and move from one part of the body to another. Flat warts are caused by the human papilloma virus or HPV, which is also responsible for foot and genital warts. Since most flat warts can be unsightly and bothersome, there is usually incentive to remove them.
Try home remedies first. Flat warts may go away on their own, but most people want faster results. Over-the-counter products for wart removal consist of mild acids such as salicylic acid. Also used is hydrogen peroxide, mercurochrome, and Bactine. Cryogenics in non-prescription form is another product, although a more expensive alternative, now available over-the-counter. Treatment consists of spraying a chemical onto the affected area, which freezes the wart and eventually allows it to fall off.
2
Obtain medication from a doctor. If home remedies don't help, there is medication for wart removal that can be prescribed by a physician. These contain stronger ingredients than those found in over-the-counter products and may cause some irritation or pain for a few days.
3
Have flat warts surgically removed. Larger flat warts may warrant surgery by laser treatment or cauterization. Another treatment is cryosurgery, for which the tissue is frozen with liquid nitrogen, allowing for an immediate removal of the affected area. A fourth option especially useful for flat warts on the face is Electrocoagulation or Short Wave Electrolysis. In this case a plastic surgeon uses a fine probe and destroys unwanted skin tissue with radio waves.
Tips & Warnings
It may be easier and less expensive to leave flat warts alone. Sometimes they disappear on their own.
The human papilloma virus can also be transmitted indirectly, through handling money or touching other contaminated objects. It is unlikely you will know where contact was made, since it can take up to eight months for symptoms to appear.
