Flat Wart Treatment & Removal In Gainesville, FL
Flat warts, also known as plane warts or verruca plana, are smaller, flatter, and smoother than many other types of warts. These warts are contagious and frequently affect young people, often appearing in large clusters on the face, hands, or legs. While they can resolve on their own, it often takes flat warts several months or years to go away. Because many people find flat warts frustrating, individuals often choose to have them removed by a dermatologist rather than wait for them to disappear on their own.
At Gainesville Dermatology & Skin Surgery, our skilled team specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of skin conditions, including flat warts. If you're dealing with stubborn or spreading warts, our board-certified dermatologists can help! Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment.
What Are Flat Warts?
Flat warts are small, slightly raised bumps that frequently appear on the face, wrists, hands, knees, and legs. Like other warts, flat warts are benign skin lesions caused by specific strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), an infection that affects the outer layer of the skin. They're smaller and smoother than common warts and often appear in clusters of 20 to 100 individual warts. Fortunately, flat warts are generally harmless and asymptomatic. They are, however, notoriously stubborn, and dermatological treatment is often the fastest and most effective way to restore clear, healthy skin.
Common Causes Of Flat Wart
Flat warts are caused by low-risk strains of HPV. The virus is most often contracted through direct skin-to-skin contact or from contaminated objects and enters the top layer of the skin through small cuts or abrasions. Once inside the skin, the infection triggers abnormal cell growth, leading to the formation of warts. Common risk factors for developing flat warts include the following:
- Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has warts
- Touch contaminated items or surfaces
- A weakened immune system
- Minor cuts and scratches
- Shaving over irritated areas
While flat warts can affect people of any age, they most commonly appear on children, teenagers, and young adults. In fact, they're occasionally referred to as juvenile warts due to their prevalence in these age groups.
Flat Wart Treatment Options
Flat warts may eventually clear up on their own, but it can take months or even years. Professional treatment from a skilled dermatologist is often the fastest and safest way to achieve lasting results. Some common treatment options for removing flat warts include:
- Topical Medications: Your provider may prescribe topical medications to treat HPV-infected skin.
- Cryotherapy: Uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy wart tissue.
- Chemical Peels: Salicylic or glycolic acid peels can be used to remove infected skin layers.
- Laser Removal: Involves burning off the wart with a targeted beam of light. Commonly used for stubborn warts.
- Excision: Cutting or scraping the wart off with a scalpel.
Also, while there are over-the-counter products for wart removal, they may cause irritation, scarring, or exacerbate the spread. To learn more about the treatments we offer for warts at Gainesville Dermatology & Skin Surgery, give us a call!
When To See A Dermatologist
Consider scheduling an appointment with our Gainesville dermatologists if your warts are spreading, multiplying, becoming a nuisance in everyday life, or affecting your confidence. Having flat warts professionally treated is especially important if they're painful, itchy, bleeding, or in plainly visible areas of the body, such as the face and hands. Additionally, if OTC treatments aren't working or you're unsure whether a bump is a wart, our dermatologists can evaluate the issue and recommend the most effective treatment.
Book An Appointment Today!
Dealing with persistent flat warts? Our team is here to help! Here at Gainesville Dermatology & Skin Surgery, we provide personalized care and advanced treatment options to help patients achieve clear, healthy skin. Don't let stubborn warts affect your confidence or comfort. Contact us today to book an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist.