Warts are common, benign skin bumps that can appear anywhere. Most often, however, they develop on the backs of the hands and the soles of the feet. While harmless, warts can be unsightly and spread from person to person and other body areas. Let’s talk about the causes and treatments of warts on kids and where you can go for outstanding wart treatment in Tuckahoe, NY.
The Causes and Kinds of Warts
Bumpy and brown to gray warts are a dermatological nuisance for both kids and adults. They come in different shapes–flat and round or filiform (long and narrow), and they may develop in groups of up to 100. These are called mosaic warts.
While typically painless, plantar warts on the soles of the feet can be uncomfortable as children walk and run on them. These warts have little black dots indicative of their limited blood supply.
Warts are noticeable and embarrassing because of their obvious appearance on the backs of the hands, knuckles, and around the fingernails. Teenagers are especially self-conscious about warts.
Finally, while warts are not sinister, they are contagious, caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. So, if a child has skin-to-skin contact with someone or touches warts to body parts outside of their original site, the virus spreads, and new warts emerge.
Finding the Right Wart Removal for Kids
Because HPV spreads easily, warts in kids really proliferate. So, it’s best to treat them as soon as possible. Here’s what to know about wart removal.
Try Over the Counter Methods
The most common treatment method is over-the-counter salicylic acid, which, when applied as directed, dissolves a wart gradually over weeks. Also, a common Internet-based remedy is covering the wart with duct tape. Again, this is a slow process, and it may take weeks for the wart to shrivel up and fall off.
Consult Your Pediatrician About Removing Warts
The best way to eliminate existing warts and to keep ahead of new ones is to have your pediatrician examine and treat them in the office. Cryotherapy (application of cold) with nitrous oxide is a popular method. Cautery, or heating the wart with an electrified needle, is quick, too, taking just a few minutes in the pediatric exam room. Both methods usually require some local anesthetic.
Finally, some warts are best removed with a cutting curette. Plus, today’s most technological method, laser removal, is fast and very accurate.
Prevent Warts from Happening in the First Place
Your pediatrician will help you decide how to eliminate your child’s warts. Also, she will instruct the young patient on proper handwashing and avoiding touching or picking at warts to avoid spread or infection.
Wart Treatment for Kids in Tuckahoe, NY
If your child is having warts, whether painful or not, it’s best to seek professional care immediately to prevent warts from spreading further to other body parts. Our board-certified pediatricians, Drs. McGowan, Bellevue, Kumasresan, and Hughes at Village Pediatric Group, have years of experience in treating child health conditions, including warts. Our providers not only recommend the right care but also offer preventive measures to prevent warts from occurring in the first place.
To make an appointment with our pediatricians, call us today at (914) 771-7070 or fill out our online appointment request form.
