Keratolytic Wart Removal

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A wart is an infection caused by a virus (germ) called human papilloma virus (HPV). A wart appears as a thickened lump (growth) on an area of your skin. Your wart may have bumpy layers of rough skin around it call keratin. Common areas for warts to grow are your face, hands, fingers, feet, and genital area (penis, vagina, or anus). A wart may also occur on the tissue lining the inside of your genitals. Keratolytic wart removal uses medicine that peels away infected skin resulting in a mild swelling and irritation. When this happens, your immune system (body defense) attacks and tries to kill the virus.
  
  
• Different kinds of keratolytic medicine may be used for different types of warts. Keratolytic medicine, such as salicylic acid, may be used to treat face, hand, finger, or foot warts. Other medicines, may be used to treat genital warts. These medicines may come in liquid or gel form, or as a plaster patch. Even with treatment, it may take some time before your wart goes away. Having your wart treated may prevent it from spreading or being passed on to others.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Treating your wart at home:

• For warts on your face, hands, fingers, or feet: Keratolytic wart removal can be done at home. Most often, keratolytic medicine is applied daily. You may do the following when treating warts at home:
  
  
  • Soak your foot, fingers, or hand in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes. Ask your caregiver about the proper way to apply warm water to warts on your face. Make sure the water is not too hot.
    
    
  • Dry the soaked area.
    
    
  • Use a pumice stone, sandpaper, or a nail file to remove the rough areas around your wart. This will help thin your skin so the keratolytic medicine will soak in better.
    
    
  • Put the medicine on your wart and leave it to dry. If you are using a plaster patch, cut the patch to the size of your wart and stick it on. Make sure not to place any medicine on your surrounding skin.
    
    
  • Cover your wart or plaster patch with a bandage or duct tape. Make sure the area you applied the medicine is completely covered.
    
    
  • If you are using a plaster patch, change it every 24 to 48 hours.
    
    
  • Repeat the steps every 1 to 2 days or as directed by your caregiver. You may continue with your treatment until your wart is gone. Some warts may take months to go away.
  
  
• For warts on your genital area: Genital wart removal may be done at home or at your caregiver’s office. Before starting any at home treatment, talk to your caregiver. Depending on the type of medicine used, treatment can be done daily, weekly, or monthly. Ask your caregiver what medicine is best for your genital wart, and how often you should use it.

Problems that may come with a keratolytic wart removal:

Keratolytic wart removal may cause redness, itching, or swelling. You may have a burning feeling when the medicine is applied to your skin. Keratolytic wart removal may also cause bleeding or tissue injury in your genital area. You may have headaches if you use too much medicine, or use it more often than recommended. You may also have an upset stomach or throw up. Using too much medicine may also put you at risk of having blood problems or seizures (convulsions). Even with treatment, it may take some time before your wart goes away. Your wart may not disappear at all, or it may return.

Preventing warts:

• Always wear footwear when walking on dirty floors or in public places. Public places include common showers, changing rooms, and swimming pool areas.
  
  
• Change your socks daily.
  
  
• Do not share socks, shoes, or towels with others. Wash used towels or socks with soap and hot water to kill any germs.
  
  
• Make sure that your feet and genital areas are always clean and dry.
  
  
• Properly throw away nail files, sandpaper, or pumice stones used to file your wart.
  
  
• Use condoms when having sex.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• New warts appear on your body.
  
  
• The skin around your wart becomes red, itchy, painful, or swollen.
  
  
• You feel weak, have an upset stomach, or throw up.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have bleeding from your genital area.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You feel confused.
  
  
• You had a seizure (convulsion).
  
  
• You have trouble staying awake.
  
  
• You swallow any of your wart medicine.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Keratolytic Wart Removal (Aftercare Instructions)