Laser Wart Removal
What are warts?
Warts are often non-cancerous skin growths caused by infection
of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the top layer of the skin, but they are
contagious. Certain high risk types eg: 16,18 may even cause malignancy in
genital area.Warts can be distinguished from callus as
they tend to interrupt natural skin lines and have small dark dots representing
thrombosed capillaries. Warts are usually skin-colored papules and
can evolve into larger dome-shaped, discolored, thickened growths. They may be painful or rough to the touch, and they can be dark, flat,
polypoid or smooth. Warts can grow anywhere on the body including eyelids,
genitalia, hands and feet. There are several different kinds of warts including
common warts, flat warts and plantar warts on feet.
How does laser
wart work
The
laser coagulates vessels within the wart, and separates them from healthy
vessels, without creating an open wound. Combining the heat of the laser
treatment with the deprivation of blood flow causes the wart to dry up. We also
recommend applying a salicylic acid gel, or prescription-strength topical
antiviral cream to help speed up the drying process.
How long does
treatment last
A
typical laser treatment session lasts from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the
extend of the disease eg: the number and the size of the lesions you are having
treated.
Where can be
treated
Treatment
location can include fingers, around nails, body and feet.
How Effective is
the laser warts
Laser Wart is a safe and effective
option for treatment of warts. A study in Korea used Cutera’s Long-Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser in treatment of Warts: Reported on a Series of 369 Cases in
2009.
The clearance rate was 96%
(336 of the 348 treated warts were eradicated). The clearance rate of verruca
vulgaris after the first treatment was very high (72.6%), whereas the clearance
rate of deep palmopantar warts after the first treatment was low (44.1%). During a median follow-up period of 2.24 months
(range, 2-10 months), 11 relapses were seen (recurrence rate, 3.27%).
Does it hurt
Either
local anesthesia such as xylocaine injection or topical analgesics can be used.
What
to do and expect Before, during and After Treatment
Pre
Treatment
·
Avoid
excessive sun exposure.
·
Avoid
aspirin, vitamin E, St John’s wort, turmeric and Fish oil which increases
chance of bleeding or bruising
·
Skin
should be clean, product free and debrided if necessary for your treatment.
During
Treatment
·
Most
laser treatments for warts take between 5 and 15 minutes.
·
You
will feel a warm pulse on your skin.. Immediately after laser
exposure, the treated area turns a bit grayish and swells slightly. Over the
next several days up to the area will heal and skin texture will start to
normalize.
·
Inform
doctor if you experience any discomfort.
After
Treatment
1.
Immediate
cooling of the treated area will help with any discomfort.
2.
You
may apply an ointment of your choice. You may also use a nonstick dressing
if desired for comfort.
3.
It
is important to avoid rubbing, wearing tight shoes. Open shoes or orthopedic
shoes can help the tissue to breathe and increase functionality of ambulation.
4.
Warts
usually have a black or crusty appearance within 24 hours after treatment, and
they usually slough off in 1-4 weeks.
5.
Deep
tissue injury and prolonged wound healing may occur.
6.
Treat
any blisters as an open wound, and apply an antibiotic ointment such as
mupirocin.
7. More
than one treatment may be necessary
8. Multiple
treatments should be scheduled one month apart
