Darst Dermatology offers personalized treatment for warts in Charlotte, Matthews, and the surrounding North Carolina communities.

What Are Warts?

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus and spread through direct contact with others. They most often occur on your hands, but warts can also appear on your feet, face, arms, legs, or even fingernails. Warts are light in color and may have small black specks in the center. They are generally smooth if found on your face, but rough when located on your hands or feet.

How Are Warts Treated?

Many types of salicylic acid-based wart removers are sold in pharmacies for use at home. While these can be effective on some warts, you should seek Dr. Darst’s opinion before going the “do-it-yourself” route. Warts on delicate areas such as your face or genitals should be removed by a medical professional who has experience performing this procedure. Warts that are very large or located on the bottom of your feet may require surgical intervention. To do so, Dr. Darst may numb the area with a local anesthetic and cut or freeze away the growth. The wound should heal on its own in a few days. Other methods to address warts include the following:

  • Cryosurgery or cryotherapy, which involves freezing the warts with liquid nitrogen
  • Surgical curettage, which is traditional surgical removal
  • Keratolysis, which is the removal of the surface cells with a blade or pumice, followed by immune system boosters to combat the virus

Some warts require several treatments to destroy them. Following removal, you may never have another wart again. However, you might find that warts return to the same area. If that occurs, Dr. Darst is happy to remove it again.

Dr. Darst, a board-certified dermatologist, offers expert treatment for warts to residents of Charlotte, Matthews, and other Metrolina communities in North Carolina. Schedule a consultation today by calling 704-321-3376. Darst Dermatology is conveniently located at 11301 Golf Links Drive North, Charlotte, NC 28277.