Freeze Warts
How to Freeze Warts
You have probably heard you can freeze warts as a method of getting rid of them. This is, in fact, true and it is one of the most effective methods of getting rid of your warts. You should always consult your dermatologist before taking any medical action. If you are curious, however, here are the basics of how to freeze warts off.
Make Sure you are actually dealing with Warts
Before you go start going about the process of freezing you warts, you want to make sure what you have is actually warts. If you have something else, you will need to go about dealing with it in a different manner.
Dermatologists typically describe warts as looking like cauliflowers. This is a good description. They tend to have a whitish look to them and stick up a bit like pimples. They typically pop up on fingers and feet although they can occur in different areas of the body. (Genital warts are a different animal altogether. We are not considering those here.)
What Causes Warts
Warts are a sign of a viral infection known as the human papilloma virus. HPV as physicians refer to it, is a common contagious virus and one of the leading causes of cervical cancers. Although the immune system typically fights the virus off over time, it can recur over time. If you have warts, you may not want to wait for months for them to go away.
Freeze Warts yourself or Have it professionally done?
Once you’ve identified that what you actually have are warts, then you want to make an appointment with a dermatologist. Although you can freeze warts yourself, a dermatologist is far more likely to do the procedure in an effective method.
The main problem with the do-it-yourself treatments is that they don’t get cold enough to freeze warts to the level necessary to get rid of them. For this reason, doing it yourself may end up being a waste of time.
Your dermatologist will use liquid nitrogen to freeze warts. Liquid nitrogen will definitely do the job, but to avoid creating other skin problems you definitely want a professional applying it.
Preparing for your Dermatologist Visit
Prior to your appointment there are certain actions you can take to increase the effectiveness of the treatment even more. First, you can begin the process of getting rid of your warts by getting salicylic acid and applying it to your warts. In fact, many people use this method to get rid of their warts altogether rather than going to the expense of a dermatological visit. Salicylic acid will work, but it will take much longer.
However, many people report that treating your warts with salicylic acid for 10 to 14 days prior to your office visit increases the chances you will not have to make a second appointment.
During this period, you will also want to be careful to keep your treated warts well washed as the salicylic treatment increases the chances of infection.
The Big Day
The process of freezing warts is actually quite fast. The dermatologist will come in, give you a look over, and prepare the area. Then he will spray the liquid nitrogen—maybe give it a second coat—and voila, you’re done.
One big fear people have, as with many medical procedures, is that it will hurt. The spray feels cold on going on and then there is a tiny bit of a burning sensation, but it is very mild.
Post Treatment
The key to post treatment care is to avoid tugging at your warts with your fingernails. Your warts will turn white soon after treatment. Later on, they may take on a darker hue.
Within a month, your warts should have fallen off. If they haven’t, you may need to make a second appointment or to begin a follow-up treatment with salicylic acid. Consult your dermatologist.