Should I Go To A Dermatologist Or General Physician For Wart Treatment?

ByLily A Singh

The human skin is a wondrous thing. It is the largest organ of the body, and it is the fastest to restore and repair itself. However, it is also prone to infections the most since a lot of it is exposed to the outside world. It develops acne, fine lines, pimples, blackheads, and sometimes, warts.

Warts don’t rate high on the list of serious skin problems – and they are mostly not serious. But they are clearly visible and might make you uncomfortable with the way they look. Many warts are either flesh coloured or slightly darker. They are of many types: flat, round, upraised, etc. They are different from skin tags, in that the skin tag has a narrow stalk at the base and a wider, broader top. You can have them checked at a dermatology clinic in Dubai if you are concerned about them. Several top rated dermatologists in the city routinely treat and remove warts, so you can find the best clinic and doctor for the procedure.

What are warts? 

Simply put, warts are protruding growths on the skin. They are non-cancerous growths caused by an infection of one or more strains of the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) that is naturally present on the skin. A proliferation of the virus causes the skin at the site of infection to become thickened, hard and upraised.

Warts commonly occur on the hands and feet, where the proportion of HPV is generally higher than on the rest of the body. They may also occur elsewhere, such as the face, neck, shoulders, back, folds of skin under the breasts and buttocks, upper thighs, and abdomen. They are normally painless and some even disappear on their own. But some might become permanent. If the wart is painful to the touch and feels tender, or if it starts oozing a clear liquid or pinkish/reddish discharge, you should consult your dermatologist at once. Growths on the skin caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, are often confused with common warts – be sure you don’t have it by undergoing skin sampling and blood work.

Some people are more prone to warts than others…

Not every person gets warts, though every person harbours the HPV on their skin. The infection is likely to take root if you have cut, broken or irritated skin. Even those with compromised immunity might be prone to it. Those who are quicker to get the infection include those with pre-existing skin conditions like Eczema. If you have cut or irritated skin, you might even catch the infection from communal swimming pools, or using clothing/towels from a person infected with the virus.

How are they removed?

As mentioned above, most warts are harmless and painless and do not require surgical removal. Some might even shrink and disappear on their own. However, they are admittedly ugly and might mar your appearance. If you wish to have them removed, head to a good dermatology clinic in Dubai to know more about:

  • Salicylic peel removal: This method removes warts in layers, by applying a salicylic acid-rich gel or cream to the wart for a few days. The acid dries out the overgrown virus at the site and the wart begins to dry out and falls off naturally. However, it is not recommended for every kind of wart.
  • Cauterise with radio frequency: This is a wonderful procedure in which the wart is systematically eliminated using radio frequency that cauterise the wart. The treatment does not leave any scars, and the wart is ‘burned’ safely with high energy radio waves. It helps the skin heal naturally in a week.
  • Laser removal: This treatment uses a laser beam to burn off the wart. Though the rest of the skin is undisturbed, there are chances of the site becoming sore post-treatment. Greater care must be taken to see that no infection creeps in at the site.
  • Cryotherapy: This method freezes the wart tissue so that the wart falls off painlessly. However, the treatment employs the formation of a blister around the wart to kill the wart gradually. The wart falls off but may leave discolouration at the site. It is a painful method, and you might require repeat sessions.
  • Removal with a scalpel: Most skin tags are removed with scalpels, and some warts may be eliminated by a minor surgery in this fashion. However, it may leave a scar at the site, and the method does not guarantee a recurrence in the future.

Which is better for wart removal – a dermatologist or general physician?

Both kinds of doctors, a dermatologist and a general physician, are equally adept at performing wart removals. However, we recommend going to a dermatology clinic in Dubai to have your wart removed because:

  • A general physician is most likely to perform a scalpel removal and not use other treatments like those mentioned above. On the other hand, a dermatologist can offer a range of treatments.
  • A dermatologist has a greater understanding of how the human skin works, as compared to a GP. This knowledge helps them devise the best treatment plan for you.
  • A dermatology clinic is equipped to handle repeat sessions, offer post-treatment products to heal the site of the removal, etc. A GP’s office may not be as well-equipped to handle the same.

Finally, do you need to have that wart checked?

A compelling reason to get your warts removed is if they are present on the visible parts of your body. Admittedly, they are unseemly and having them removed is a better idea. But if the wart is small and painless, you might consider letting it be. You should be concerned if more warts appear rapidly at the same site, or if the wart(s) are painful or oozing.