Keratolytic Wart Removal

What is keratolytic wart removal?

• 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). Warts may also grow on the tissue that lines the inside of your anus. Females may also get warts on the tissue lining of their vagina.
  
  
• Keratolytic wart removal uses medicine that peels away the infected skin that forms your wart. Once your skin peels away, you may have 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 depending on the kind of wart you have. The medicine may come in liquid or gel form, or as a plaster patch. Your caregiver will work with you to decide which medicine is right for you. You may need many medicine treatments before your wart goes away. Having your wart treated may prevent it from spreading or being passed on to others.

Do I need keratolytic wart removal?

You may or may not choose to have your wart treated. Many warts go away on their own without treatment. You may choose to treat warts that cause you pain, such as those on the bottoms of your feet. Many people choose to treat warts if they can be seen by others. Keratolytic medicines, such as salicylic acid, work well for warts on your face, hands, fingers or feet. Other medicines may be needed to treat genital warts. Some keratolytic medicine may not be safe for young children. Ask your caregiver for more information about keratolytic medicines that are safe for your child.

How is keratolytic wart removal done?

• 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.

What problems may come with 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 then directed. 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. Without treatment, your wart may become painful or you may have worsening pain. Your wart may grow or spread to other parts of your body. You may also pass the virus that caused your wart to other people. Some types of genital warts may lead to cancer. Talk to your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your condition, treatment, or care.

How can I prevent having warts again or spreading them to others?

• 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.

Where can I find more information?

Contact any of the following:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
  Leawood , KS 66211-2680
  Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  1600 Clifton Rd.
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 800 - 227-8922
  Phone: 1- 800 - 232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/std
  

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your 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.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

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

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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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.

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