If you’ve had warts in the past or have one at the moment, you may have noticed that they can be quite stubborn. These unsightly bumps need careful, consistent treatment to make them disappear.
But how do you know if your wart is finally gone? Some warts can be incredibly small or difficult to identify. This may make it harder for you to tell if your treatments have been helpful.
This article details everything you need to know, from identifying warts to treatment tips and more.
For personalised advice or treatment, contact our team at Capital Podiatry in Tuggeranong today. Our podiatrists have years of experience supporting patients with a wide variety of concerns and are committed to your care.
What is a Wart?
Warts are infections of the skin that develop into benign growths. Often they occur on the hands and feet, but they may also occur elsewhere. They are incredibly common, with estimates saying one in five children develops warts.
Warts are generally considered contagious, so touching a wart may cause it to spread further. Warts usually also take a few months to develop. While they may go away on their own, this will take some time and may be frustrating.
Signs and Symptoms to Look out for
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, you have likely developed a wart.
- Small, raised bumps
- Either single or in small clusters
- 1 to 10 millimetres in size
- Rough or smooth surfaces
- Skin coloured, brown or black
- Small dots in the centre
- Itchiness
How do you Know if Your Wart has Been Removed?
To remove warts successfully, you’ll need to make sure they are completely gone before stopping treatment. So how do you know they have been properly removed?
Here, we’ll outline what you should check for to see if it’s dying.
How Warts Fall Off
After treatment, your wart may ‘fall off’. This means it has been successfully removed. Here are signs that may indicate your wart is about to fall off:
- Soreness or blisters form in the area
- The skin of the wart dries and begins to peel
- The wart lightens in colour
- The wart shrinks and flattens
After a complete treatment, all signs of your wart should disappear. Depending on your treatment, it may completely detach itself and fall off.
If you can still see a black speck or feel a slight bump, it has not been removed.
Tips for Removing Warts
If your wart has not been removed, you may need to try a different treatment method. Here, we’ll outline a few common wart treatments and tips to keep in mind.
1. Duct Tape
If you’re worried about your wart spreading, duct tape may help. Pressing a small patch of tape over your wart may also help protect it from further infection.
The tape should be removed every three to six days. You may then want to soak your wart and scrub it with a pumice stone. This may help to remove the infected skin.
2. Salicylic Acid
In some cases, salicylic acid may help. Use a salicylic gel or liquid and apply it to the wart. You may find these topical medications at most pharmacies over the counter. However, it’s important that you follow the usage instructions supplied.
3. See a Professional
In many cases, warts may be resistant to treatment. Likewise, some remedies may be potentially risky to handle on your own. If you have a persistent wart, it is recommended that you seek professional advice.
A podiatrist understands how warts may affect you. They may recommend other treatments or offer more personalised advice. Common podiatry treatments may include:
- Microwave therapy
- Cryotherapy
- Laser therapy
- Surgical removal
- And more
Real Care When You Need it Most
Warts are often incredibly frustrating to deal with. Not only are they rough and annoying, but if left alone, they may start to cause pain. If your warts have not gotten any smaller or refused to budge for more than a few weeks, it might be time to seek support.
At Capital Podiatry, we take pride in supporting our local Canberra community at our Tuggeranong clinic. We’ve been providing tailored care to patients for over 20 years, and know all the best ways to help. For personalised wart removal treatments, reach out to our team today.
