Warts in Great Neck, NY

Warts are a common skin condition, usually seen on the palms, fingers, and near the nails. They tend to look like little fleshy peas, but they may differ in size. It is also normal for warts to appear in clusters on the knees and elbows. Warts are brought on by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Although warts are usually harmless, they can be annoying and unattractive. Over-the-counter wart removal treatments are not usually strong enough so the team at Bodian Dermatology is equipped to provide effective wart removal. If you would like to eliminate a wart or other skin growth, schedule a consultation with Dr. Adam Bodian at his office in Great Neck, NY.

Skin warts are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). They are ordinarily spread by people through skin-to-skin contact. Warts can also be the result of touching something that a wart has come in contact with, such as exercise equipment or a towel. It's easier to contract warts through a scrape or cut in the skin so open wounds and areas that are regularly shaved (the face, legs, or under the arms) are at increased risk.

Common warts tend to show up as rough, grainy bumps on your fingers and toes, but they can appear elsewhere on the body. Common warts have a rounded top and sometimes feature a pattern of tiny black dots. Plantar warts develop on the bottom of your feet. Also known as foot warts, they look like brown or flesh-colored lumps that are speckled with small, black spots. Flat warts are smoother and smaller in comparison to other types. Flat warts may grow anywhere, but they are most commonly seen on your legs and face.

Even after your initial therapy, warts may reoccur so it is necessary to find the best treatment to minimize outbreaks. Freezing a wart is a common treatment that is usually successful. With this method, Dr. Bodian applies liquid nitrogen to the wart. A blister will develop around it, and the dead skin will fall off in a week or two. Another option is using cantharidin, a chemical that can cause inflammation of the skin once applied to a wart. This chemical is placed on the skin to create a blister around the wart — it is a typical and popular therapy because the application causes little to no pain. Electrosurgery (burning) or freezing with cryotherapy can also be used, in addition to curetting (scraping) or cutting away the wart(s). Chemical peels, laser treatments, bleomycin injections, or immunotherapy are also treatment options if the wart(s) is difficult to remove.

Risk factors for developing warts include direct contact with the human papillomavirus (HPV) through skin-to-skin contact or contaminated surfaces, as well as having a weakened immune system. Children and teenagers are more susceptible due to their developing immune systems, and skin damage, such as cuts or scrapes, can provide an entry point for the virus. Personal habits like nail-biting or shaving can also spread the virus to other parts of the body. Walking barefoot in communal areas, excessive moisture from sweating, and certain occupations involving handling meat or fish can further increase the risk of wart development.

Can a wart go away on its own?
In some cases, a wart may go away on its own. However, if a wart is in an uncomfortable spot, keeps returning, or has been on the skin for a long period of time, it may require medical attention. If you have a wart that you would like removed, you should schedule a consultation at Bodian Dermatology to discuss your treatment options.

How do I know which wart treatment is right for me?
The proper treatment for a wart may be dependent on a few different factors, including:

• The area of the wart
• The cause of the wart
• How long the wart has been there
• If/what previous treatments were performed

During a thorough consultation at our Great Neck, NY facility, we can determine the best course of treatment for your wart removal.

Can a wart return after a removal treatment?
If a wart is completely removed, it should not return. However, if an incision technique is used to remove a wart, the area could become reinfected with HPV, causing a wart to redevelop in the area.

Though most warts are harmless, they are contagious so you probably would like to have them removed quickly. Instead of spending money on over-the-counter treatments, have your wart(s) treated by Dr. Bodian. He is experienced in analyzing warts to determine the best course of therapy. Contact Bodian Dermatology in Great Neck, NY to schedule an appointment to address current warts and minimize future outbreaks.