recovery of awart removal proceduredepends on several factors. Of particular importance are the type of treatment performed, the location and severity of the lesion, and the patient's immune status.
Your skin experts at BHSkin Dermatologyhas a range of quick, safe and effective solutions for even the most stubborn warts. You may have even discussed some office procedures with your BHSkin physician during your last visit. Understandably, questions may remain about how each treatment is administered, how uncomfortable it would be, and how long it would take you away from your daily activities.
Here we explain the recovery process after any procedure and what you can do to ensure proper healing.
What are the factors that can affect recovery after a wart removal procedure?
In-office wart treatments create a type of controlled skin lesion. Therefore, recovery focuses on wound healing after treatment. Many factors influence skin repair and your care provider at BHSkin Dermatology will assess your suitability for a procedure based on these factors.
The location of the lesion
Specific concerns here include occurring in a weight-bearing area, growing in a location associated with exercise, circulation, and sun exposure.
The pressure of your own weight delays healing due to lack of oxygen. Post-treatment wounds in weight-bearing areas, such as the soles of the feet, must be protected until they heal. Patients who have just had a plantar wart removed may be advised to wear wide shoes and crutches for a while.
You'll know healing is well underway when walking on the affected foot becomes comfortable again. For some individuals, this can happen in as little as 2 to 3 weeks, while others may need to use crutches longer.
Other forms of pressure such as B. writing with a pen can also delay recovery.
Sites involved in movement, such as the wrists, may heal slowly even without immobilization. The movement stretches the contracted areas of the skin. Skin contraction is a natural body process needed to close wounds.
Poor circulation is a complication of conditions such as diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial disease. Patients may experience slow or no healing in areas where the supply of blood, oxygen, and nutrients is inadequate. Physicians generally advise against invasive procedures at these sites because of the risk of non-healing and secondary bacterial infection.
Changes under a closed wound take months, even years. Sun exposure can darken newly repaired skin and break down new connective tissue. For best cosmetic results, it may be necessary to maintain sun protection long after you return to normal activities.
Wound size and shape after treatment
Smaller post-treatment wounds generally heal faster than large or widespread wounds. Inflammation from small skin tears usually goes away within a few days to a week in healthy people.
The time to repair for larger injuries is highly dependent on the shape of the wound after treatment. Thin incisions allow the surface of the skin to contract slightly, so they generally heal faster than round wounds. Sutures, skin glue, skin patches, and surgical staples speed wound closure. They are suitable for slit-type incisions, but not for round or wide lesions.
The wart removal procedure
The type of procedure affects the severity and duration of pain and recovery time.
In general, less invasive in-office procedures are less painful and last longer. These include bleomycin injections, which produce only puncture wounds, and non-invasive cantharidin treatment. These therapies require little or no downtime, depending on the location of the wart and other factors.
Cryotherapy is minimally invasive, but patients typically do not require numbing medication during the session. However, a blister develops which can remain sore for days. Little or no downtime is required when done in non-stressed areas.
Other in-office procedures burn off the warts or create larger incisions that require pain medication during the session and sometimes afterwards. These include electrosurgery and curettage,VBeam laser treatmentand excision. Recovery time is variable.
The patient's immune status
When the skin breaks down, immune cells rush in to clean it up and prevent damage from spreading. They trigger inflammation and kill any microbes that may be in the environment. Healing begins after the immune cells have done their job. People with low immune status, such as those with HIV and diabetes mellitus, are at risk for delayed recovery or no cure.
Other factors that can delay wound healing and recovery
Several other health factors can also delay healing and recovery time. That includes:
- clotting disorders,as coagulation is the first process that closes a wound. Liver disease, congenital coagulation disorders, low platelet count, use of anticoagulants, etc. may put patients at risk for significant bleeding and wound closure.
- treatments that suppress the immune system,such as steroid use and radiotherapy at a nearby location.
- Factors that prolong the inflammatory process,such as wound infection and hematoma (hematoma) after treatment and radiotherapy at a nearby site. Foreign objects such as accumulated dirt and gauze can further irritate the skin and delay healing.
- connective tissue diseases,because a lot of new connective tissue is created during wound healing. Therefore, healing would be difficult for those with conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, SLE, etc.
- malnutrition,because the formation of new connective tissue requires healthy amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins.
- surgery on another part of the body,because the other postoperative wound drains nutrients from the wart removal site.
- To alter,because older people generally experience slower wound healing than younger people.
- Smoke,because it introduces free radicals and other toxins that can delay recovery. It also causes blood thickening and narrowing of blood vessels, which deplete the wart removal site of oxygen and nutrients.
To ensure a speedy recovery, doctors recommend actions that can speed up skin repair. Post-wound care, proper diet and rest, medication adherence, and avoiding smoking can help reduce downtime.
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What can you expect during the procedure and how to treat the area after wart removal?
As already mentioned, in practice, treatments for warts differ according to their degree of invasiveness. Consequently, they require different approaches to pain management and follow-up care. The nature of the procedure also dictates the need to limit post-treatment activities and repeat sessions. Below we describe these aspects for the treatment of warts in practice, in which BHSkin Dermatology specializes.
cryotherapy
What to expect:In this procedure, the doctor freezes the wart with liquid nitrogen. It's fast and can be done in just a few minutes. Some patients try to thin the wart beforehand with polishing and salicylic acid, but cryotherapy does not require preparation for the treatment.
Is cryotherapy painful?During the procedure, you will feel a cold sensation and some discomfort in the region that lasts only a few seconds. Anesthetics are usually not needed. The area will become inflamed and blistered within 24 hours. Blistering can cause mild to moderate pain for a few days.
downtime:The recovery period after cryotherapy depends on the body part affected. Once this is done, you can resume your normal activities. However, if the treated area is stressed or repeatedly compressed, it may be necessary to protect it for a week to allow it to dry before returning to your usual routines. The site can be washed while showering.
After treatment:The blister needs a plaster to protect it. A scab is expected to form within a week of treatment. However, if it breaks before the scab forms, be sure to apply an antiseptic to the area and avoid touching the liquid. The scab falls off by itself. Until then, do not vote on the site as this will spread the virus.
Cryotherapy rarely results in a bacterial infection, but call your doctor if the wart removal site shows signs of infection. One or two treatments may be enough for small warts, but larger ones will require more.
cantharidin
What to expect:The doctor applies a chemical to the wart and covers it with non-porous tape. It should only take a few minutes. The use of cantharidin does not require any pretreatment preparation.
Is cantharidin treatment painful?The application of cantharidin itself is painless, but after 1-2 days blisters appear, making the area tender. Discomfort disappears in 4-7 days as the blister dries up.
downtime:As with cryotherapy, the downtime with cantharidin treatment depends on the body part affected.
After treatment:The doctor will instruct you to wash the area with soap and water after 4 hours. You can take it out sooner if you feel a burning sensation or severe pain at the site. You can wash the treated area while taking a shower and then cover it with a plaster.
Occasionally, patients develop larger, more painful blisters that require fluid drainage. If this happens, you can apply an antiseptic solution to the area and then poke one side of the blister with a sterilized needle. Do not touch the liquid or remove the bubble cap. Dry the area with gauze and sterilize again when draining is complete.
The wart dries up a week after treatment. Your doctor may cut away the dead wart during follow-up if it has not yet fallen off.
Complications are rare after cantharidin treatment, but call your dermatologist if you experience excessive bleeding, itching, or pain. Resistant warts require several sessions.
Electrosurgery and curettage
What to expect:The doctor will clean the area and give you a numbing medication before treatment. A small blade or spoon-like instrument is used to remove the wart. An electric pen-like heater stops the bleeding and burns away the rest of the tumor. The duration of the session depends on the severity of the wart, but it usually lasts about 15 minutes, including the injection of the numbing medicine.
The procedure creates a round or wide wound that does not require stitches. Depending on your medical condition, your dermatologist may advise you to obtain medical clearance a few days before your session or to stop taking certain medications.
Are electrosurgery and curettage painful?Combination treatment is painless due to the anesthetic, but the site may be tender for 1 to 2 weeks and will require over-the-counter pain relievers.
downtime:The recovery period after electrosurgery and curettage depends on the depth, size and location of the postoperative wound. It may be wise to avoid exertion for the first 1-2 weeks. Wounds from this procedure take 2 to 4 weeks to heal.
After treatment:Your doctor will provide you with specific instructions for post-surgical wound care. Generally, the wound is kept dry and healed for the first 24 to 48 hours to allow for adequate clotting. You can then wash it with mild soap and water. Change the bandage regularly.
When performed professionally, electrosurgery and curettage rarely cause complications. However, you can call your doctor if you experience severe pain, bleeding, fever, or if the area develops a yellowish discharge.
Warts only require one session of electrosurgery and curettage.
excision
What to expect:The doctor cleans the area, injects an anesthetic, removes the wart, and closes the wound. The entire session lasts about 15 to 30 minutes.
The procedure creates a wound that can be cauterized or sutured. Depending on your medical condition, your dermatologist may advise you to get your doctor's approval a few days before your appointment or to avoid certain medications.
Is wart removal painful?The procedure itself is painless due to the numbing medication, but the area will be tender for a few weeks. You may need pain medication after the session.
downtime:Recovery after wart removal depends on the size, shape and location of the lesion. You may be advised to avoid strenuous activity for 2 to 4 weeks to avoid trauma to the site. You can use crutches to relieve pressure from plantar excisions.
After treatment:The specialist will advise you on the correct treatment of the wound, similar to electrosurgery and curettage. Call your doctor if you experience severe pain, bleeding, and fever, or if the site shows signs of infection.
Warts only require one session of excision surgery.
VBeam laser treatment
What to expect:Your dermatologist will use a powerful beam of light to open up the wart's blood vessels. Each session lasts approximately 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the severity of the problem.
Before your appointment, your doctor may ask you to avoid sun exposure, chemical peels, medications containing vitamin A, and other treatments that can cause photosensitivity to your skin.
Is the VBeam laser wart treatment painful?Your doctor uses a device that sprays a cool, numbing mist onto your skin while the laser is applied. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure, although warts in sensitive areas may require topical pain relievers. The area may be mildly tender for up to 2 weeks.
downtime:The length of the recovery period after laser surgery depends on the size, distribution and location of the wart. Downtime is minimal when small and away from plantar areas or other commonly compressed areas. Otherwise, recovery will take a few weeks.
After treatment:The wart will dry up in 1-2 weeks and the area may turn black as it heals. Keep it clean, dry and out of the sun. You may experience some itching or bruising, but this will go away in a few days. Avoid scratching the area before it has fully healed.
Drink plenty of fluids. Your body will help rid the area of dead cells and infection, making hydration important.
Some warts respond immediately to VBeam laser treatment, but multiple sessions are required in most cases.
Bleomycin Injection
What to expect:Your dermatologist will clean the area and inject a cancer drug into the wart. It should only take a few minutes. Short, punctual bleeding may occur. Bleomycin injection does not require any pretreatment preparation.
Is treating warts with bleomycin painful?A bleomycin injection can cause discomfort at the injection site, but numbing medications are usually not needed. Warts on the palms and soles may be more sensitive to injections. Mild sensitivity can last up to 2 weeks.
downtime:Bleomycin injections do not require downtime. After the session, you can continue with your normal activities.
Aftercare: Bleeding from the wart at home is rare. If this happens, you can cover the area with clean gauze and elevate the affected body part. Keep the area clean and dry. Call your doctor if you experience persistent bleeding, signs of infection, severe pain, or an unbearable allergic reaction.
Bleomycin is not injected into a hairy area or near the nails, as it may affect hair and nail growth. It can also result in uneven skin tone at the wart removal site.
Response to bleomycin varies, but most patients require at least 4 sessions spaced 3-4 weeks apart. Drying of the wart indicates that the treatment is effective.
The table below compares the recovery processes of the various office wart treatments just described.
| wart removal procedure | usual level of pain | recovery time etcRestricted activity after treatment | Necessary follow-up of the patient | Number of treatments expected |
| cryotherapy | Brief discomfort during the procedure Mild to moderate pain after treatment Analgesics are usually not needed | Recovery takes up to 1 week No-load locations require little or no downtime Stressed and repeatedly compressed areas must be protected for 1 week | Keep the place dry and clean Put a plaster on the blister Apply an antiseptic if the blister bursts Avoid poking the wound | Small warts may require 1-2 treatments Larger ones require more sessions |
| cantharidin | painless procedure Mild to moderate pain after treatment Analgesics are usually not needed | Recovery takes up to 1 week No-load locations require little or no downtime Stressed and repeatedly compressed areas must be protected for 1 week | Wash the area after 4 hours Keep the place dry and clean Put a plaster on the blister Painful blisters can be punctured without opening the ceiling | Resistant warts require multiple sessions |
| Electrosurgery and curettage | Painkillers needed during the procedure May require OTC pain relievers for 1-2 weeks | Recovery takes 2 to 4 weeks Avoidance of straining is necessary for 1-2 weeks in non-weight bearing areas Stressed and repeatedly compressed areas should be protected for 2-4 weeks | Keep the area dry for the first 24-48 hours Proper wound care daily | No repeat treatments needed |
| excision | Painkillers needed during the procedure May require OTC pain relievers for 1-2 weeks | Recovery takes 2 to 4 weeks Avoidance of straining is necessary for 1-2 weeks in non-weight bearing areas Stressed and repeatedly compressed areas should be protected for 2-4 weeks | Keep the area dry for the first 24-48 hours Proper wound care daily | No repeat treatments needed |
| VBeam laser treatment | Pain medication is sometimes needed during the procedure Mild discomfort can last up to 2 weeks, which is usually tolerable | Recovery takes 2 to 4 weeks Avoidance of straining is necessary for 1-2 weeks in non-weight bearing areas Stressed and repeatedly compressed areas should be protected for 2-4 weeks | Keep the area clean, dry and out of the sun. Avoid poking the wound drink plenty of liquid | Some warts disappear after one treatment, but most require multiple sessions. |
| bleomycin | Discomfort at the injection site during the procedure Mild sensitivity can last up to 2 weeks Analgesics are usually not needed | Little or no downtime required | Keep the place dry and clean Put a plaster on the wart Elevate the site if bleeding persists | Most patients require at least 4 sessions spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart |
As with any other health condition, the success of the treatment depends on the expertise of the healthcare professional. However, much of your recovery also depends on following the aftercare plan. Your BHSkin Dermatology doctor will discuss other important details with you and guide you through a personalized treatment plan.
Diploma
In-office wart treatments result in limited skin damage, so recovery depends on factors that can affect wound healing. The most important of these factors is the type of procedure performed, as it also affects pain control, follow-up care, the need to limit post-treatment activities, and the effectiveness of treatment.Choosing the right dermatologistguarantees the success of the procedure, but adherence to follow-up care increases the chances of a speedy recovery.
Stubborn warts? No problem! You found the best Los Angeles dermatologists
Warts are stubborn, contagious lesions that can ruin your perfect complexion and become a source of personal suffering. However, they are no match for the expertise of our experts at BHSkin Dermatology. You can get rid of any stubborn warts without leaving unsightly marks on your skin. Visit us at our clinics in Encino and Glendale or contact us through our virtual portal for Telederm consultations.
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