Wart Causes and Treatment! Explained by Im Eui-seok Dermatology

Provided by: Im Eui-seok Theme Dermatology Clinic

Causes of warts

Warts, caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV, tend to become active in bodies with weakened immunity. That is why extra caution is needed during seasonal transitions, when large temperature differences can easily lower the skin’s immune defenses. If not treated in time, they can spread to surrounding skin, and if you keep touching them, they may also grow larger.

If you scratch or rub the area where a wart has developed, it can spread easily to nearby areas, and there is also a high chance of transmission through contact with others. At a glance, it may look similar enough to be mistaken for a corn, but because warts are a disease caused by a virus, they should not be taken lightly and should be treated promptly.

Types of warts and where they occur

1. Common warts

The most common and typical type of wart, common warts have a rough, raised surface. They are usually observed more often in children, and as people get older, the number and frequency of lesions tends to decrease. They mainly occur on the backs of the hands, around the nails, the ears, lips, or tongue.

2. Flat warts

Flat warts are commonly found on the face, and because their surface is flat, they came to be called flat warts. They are so small, about the size of a millet seed, that you may not even notice them. They often occur on the forehead, chin, nose, around the mouth, and on the backs of the hands. Although they often resolve on their own, if left untreated and continually irritated, they can gradually enlarge due to abnormal capillary proliferation, making treatment more difficult.

3. Plantar warts

Plantar warts, also called foot sole warts, can be mistaken for corns because they are pressed down by body weight. To distinguish them, the thickened keratin layer on the surface may be shaved away for observation. Unlike corns, they can occur regardless of location, often appear in clusters, and frequently spread to surrounding areas.

4. Genital warts

Genital warts are one of the diseases seen in adults, and they occur around the genitals or anus. In the beginning, they start as small glossy papules, but over time, multiple papules may cluster together and take on a cauliflower-like shape.

Wart laser treatment

Warts mainly appear on frequently exposed areas, and as time passes, their size and extent can increase while also posing a high risk of spreading to others. Therefore, it is best to visit a dermatologist as soon as they are found and receive treatment after consulting a specialist. Im Eui-seok Theme Dermatology recommends wart treatment using lasers.

1. Vbeam Perfecta

Vbeam Perfecta is a vascular laser and is effective in improving warts located in areas with a rich blood vessel supply. Its advantage is that it can selectively remove the targeted area by directing the laser to the desired site, and it is suitable for treating lesions that do not respond well to cryotherapy or remaining lesions after treatment. Because a cooling device protects the skin surface during the procedure, recovery is quick after treatment, so it is widely used for wart treatment.

2. Clarity

Clarity laser delivers energy deep into the skin

and is a laser that can treat warts with fewer procedures. It has a cooling system, so anesthesia is not necessary, and it minimizes discomfort and pain, reducing the burden of treatment. In addition, it does not cause severe scabbing after treatment, and even if scabs do form, they do not last long. Since washing the face and applying makeup are possible on the same day after the procedure, it is also suitable for those who do not have time to spare for recovery.

Even after careful wart treatment with lasers, warts can recur if some HPV remains in the skin. Therefore, to prevent recurrence, it is necessary to pay attention to immune strength and skin regeneration.

Try to avoid spicy and salty irritating foods as much as possible, and by drinking enough water and applying moisturizer to the skin surface, you can help prevent damage to the skin barrier and reduce recurrence. In addition, managing mental and physical stress by maintaining a regular routine and getting moderate exercise can help improve warts.

Im Eui-seok Dermatology treats patients based on more than 600,000 clinical cases and provides customized combination treatment according to a dermatologist’s diagnosis and prescription. To carry out customized combination treatment, the clinic has more than 60 premium laser treatment devices and continues to invest generously in replacements and the introduction of new equipment to treat a wide range of conditions. At Im Eui-seok Theme Dermatology, treatment focuses not on the temporary relief of skin symptoms, but on addressing the underlying skin problem.

​