Joel Schlessinger MD FAQ - Warts

Joel Schlessinger, MD
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT
WARTS
Interested in learning more or setting up an appointment? Call 402.334.7546 or visit
http://www.LovelySkin.com/Warts to browse our full selection of products.

Warts are common skin growths caused by a viral
infection, usually the human papillomavirus, in the top
layer of the skin. Though they’re rarely painful or
harmful, they can be unsightly. There are many
different kinds of warts, and the hands and feet are
among the most common areas on the body for
development. Though they are often thought of as a
childhood phenomenon, people young and old can
experience warts
You can’t get warts from touching frogs, but you can
get warts from people. Wart viruses are contagious,
and they are passed through person-to-person
contact. It may take months or even years for a wart to
develop after first contact with the virus.
What are warts?
Before After

Warts are caused by various strains
of viruses. The human papillomavirus
is only one such virus. Warts can be
passed from person-to-person
through even indirect contact. The
viruses that cause warts can be
contracted through sharing towels,
shoes and clothing and from wet
surfaces in public showers and
swimming pools.
What causes warts?
Before After

Common warts are characterized by small,
grainy bumps that are rough to the touch.
They could also feature a pattern of black
dots, which look like seeds and are actually
small, clotted blood vessels. Usually pink
or flesh-colored, they most often occur on
the hands and fingers. They may also
appear on the face, especially in children,
through touch and nail-biting. Common
warts usually disappear without
treatment, but this can take months or
years, and many opt for removal.
Common warts
Before After

Plantar warts appear on the bottoms of
the feet (the plantar surface). They are
similar in appearance to common warts,
including the pattern of black “seeds” or
clotted blood vessels. The plantar wart
virus can be contracted through person-
to-person contact or from public
showers and swimming pools. Plantar
warts are at more risk to become painful
and irritated due to the constant friction
caused by walking.
Plantar warts
Before After

Flat warts are most prevalent among
teens and children. They are small, white
or flesh-colored growths with flat tops
that usually occur in clusters. As many as
a hundred flat warts could appear in any
one area. They most often occur on the
face or areas that are shaved often, such
as the legs in females. Shaving can
hasten their spread rapidly, so those
patients with flat warts should opt for a
depilatory instead of a razor to remove
unwanted hair.
Flat warts
Before After

Molluscum contagiosum is a highly contagious
type of wart that is characterized by a small
white, pink or flesh-colored bump with a dimple
in the center. The bumps are usually painless
but can become itchy or swollen. Like other
warts, molluscum contagiosum is passed
through person-to-person contact. It’s most
common in children and those with weakened
immune systems as well as parts of the world
with warm, moist climates and crowded
conditions. Bumps can be easily spread to other
parts of the body through scratching and
contact.
Molluscum contagiosum
Before After

Genital warts are one of the most
common types of sexually transmitted
infections. Caused by the human
papillomavirus, they are spread through
sexual contact. Women are somewhat
more likely to develop genital warts,
which can occasionally cause cervical
cancer. There is a vaccine available to
prevent genital warts, and though it isn’t
offered at Skin Specialists of Omaha, Dr.
Schlessinger recommends it for all teens
and young adults.
Genital warts
Before After

Though preventing contact with all wart-causing
viruses can seem as impossible as avoiding germs
altogether, there are several things you can do to
lessen your chances of developing them. Get any
skin abnormalities that could potentially be
unknown warts checked out and treated if
necessary. Always wear shoes in moist public
places like showers and pools. Don’t share towels,
clothing or shoes with others, especially if you
know they have warts. Avoid bathing children
together to prevent spreading warts between
them. The molluscum contagiosum virus is
especially contagious and some experts believe it
can spread through water.
How can I prevent warts?
Before After

Topical over-the-counter products are sometimes
successful, though many leave the wart larger and
inflamed. Some patients have had luck with applying
duct tape to stimulate the immune system and then
using an emory board to file the wart away. Applying
salicylic acid is another safe way to treat warts at
home. However, Dr. Schlessinger recommends seeking
the opinion of an expert before taking matters into
your own hands. What might appear to be a wart at
first glance could be a mole, skin tag or other growth,
and it’s best to be sure that you aren’t attempting to
treat a more serious problem. Avoid purchasing
unproven remedies or “miracle” products over the
Internet to treat warts.
Can I use over-the-counter products to
treat warts?
Before After

Though there are countless treatments
available for warts, no treatment boasts
a 100% success rate. The good news is
that the treatments that Dr. Joel
Schlessinger offers at Skin Specialists of
Omaha produce a 50-75% success rate.
Though there’s always a chance that the
wart could appear again in the same
spot, the odds are good that you’ll
remain wart-free. The following are a
few effective treatments for warts.
What are some other treatments for warts?
Before After

Dr. Schlessinger prefers the poison
method to treat warts. The diluted
poison, dinitrochlorobenzene, or
DNCB, is applied to the wart. The
poison then causes an immune
response that wards off wart-causing
viruses. After a short series of
treatments, the wart usually
disappears.
The poison method
Before After

Laser removal utilizes an intense
beam of light to destroy the wart
tissue. This treatment is usually
only used for large or widespread
warts. There is an increased risk
of post-procedure scarring, as
well as an increased chance that
the warts will reoccur.
Laser wart removal
Before After

Cryotherapy involves using liquid
nitrogen, or extreme cold, to freeze
the wart off. Within one to four
treatments, the wart is usually gone.
Many over-the-counter products
promise to freeze warts using
dimethyl ether and propane, but it’s
always best to seek professional care
to maximize effectiveness and
minimize the risk of scarring.
Cryotherapy
Before After

Electrosurgery involves burning
the wart while curettage
involves cutting it off with a
special tool. The two
treatments may be used in
conjunction with one another
to effectively remove the wart.
Burning or cutting
Before After

A chemical peel may be applied
over a series of treatments to
gradually reduce warts until they
disappear altogether. These peels
often contain strong
concentrations of effective
ingredients such as glycolic acid,
tretinoin or salicylic acid.
Chemical peels
Before After

Spirulina is a blue-green algae
packed with vitamins and
minerals. It’s known to strengthen
the immune system and improve
skin and nails. Dr. Schlessinger
recommends taking spirulina in
oral supplement form to help
expedite the natural repair
process for warts.
Spirulina
Before After

Since some wart removal treatments
carry a risk for scarring, you’ll need
to choose aftercare products that
will help your skin repair quickly and
safely. LovelySkin.com carries a wide
range of products for scarring and
healing that are personally selected
and recommended by Dr. Joel
Schlessinger.
Wart removal aftercare
Before After

Kinerase Scar Healing Therapy is a
gel formula that improves the
appearance of red, raised scars.
Using the highest-grade silicone
available, it is clinically proven to
minimize the look, color,
tenderness and coarseness of old
and new scars.
Kinerase Scar Healing Therapy
Before After

SkinMedica Scar Recovery gel
with Centelline™ is an innovative
treatment that can help you avoid
scarring. It’s perfect for applying
to post-procedure incisions to
repair distressed skin and
promote healing.
SkinMedica Scar Recovery Gel with
Centelline™
Before After

Avene Cicaldate Restorative Skin
Cream’s powerful formula
reduces the risk of infection and
helps create an optimal
environment for healing. Perfect
for sensitive skin, this cream
contains thermal spring water to
gently and effectively treat
recovering areas.
Avene Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream
Before After

The light, non-greasy formula of
Obagi Medical Dermatix Ultra
Advanced Scar Treatment helps to
maintain the skin’s moisture balance
and relieve the itching and irritation
associated with healing. Silicone gel
helps to smooth, flatten and reduce
discoloration of the skin following
treatment.
Obagi Medical Dermatix Ultra Advanced
Scar Treatment
Before After

Jan Marini BioShield Rapid Recovery
Complex is a silicon-based treatment
that provides superior barrier
protection and repair for post-
procedure skin. Using a blend of
growth factors, peptides and
hyaluronic acid, it keeps skin safe
from environmental stressors and
speeds the healing process.
Jan Marini BioShield Rapid Recovery
Complex
Before After

Here’s how you can find out
more about Dr. Joel Schlessinger:
- Facebook http://www.facebook.com/drjoelschlessinger
- Twitter http://www.twitter.com/drschlessinger
- Blogs http://drjoelschlessinger.com/
http://drjoelschlessinger.wordpress.com/

Joel Schlessinger MD FAQ - Warts

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Joel Schlessinger MD FAQ - Warts