Will my Wart Ever Go Away on its Own?

If you have a wart – a small, rough, hard, flesh-colored skin growth – you're not alone. They affect around 10% of Americans. Warts are caused by a virus that belongs to the family of human papillomaviruses (HPV), which are very common.

Since warts are benign, many people wonder if they will go away on their own if left untreated and how long it will take. Unfortunately, this can be a lengthy process, which is why the team at Spyglass Dermatology in Stuart and Tequesta, FL is here to help. As a small clinic with cutting-edge technology, patients get excellent and personalized treatment for warts.

Keep reading to find out how long it takes for a wart to go away on its own.

How do I know if I have a wart?

If you have a rough skin-colored growth that isn't a callus, it could be a wart. Warts are more likely to appear on the hands, feet, knees, and elbows, but they can grow anywhere. They're particularly common in areas where cuts, biting, or skin picking occurs, such as areas nicked during shaving or around chewed fingernails.

Sometimes, a wart may have a tiny dark dot in the middle, which helps distinguish them from other skin growths. However, not all warts have visible spots.

Warts are more common in children (10 to 20% of children develop a wart at some point), but they can occur in people of any age. If you're concerned you may have a wart, the professionals at Spyglass Dermatology can help.

How are warts treated?

Dermatologists treat warts in a variety of ways. While some people may be tempted to leave warts untreated since they grow slowly and are largely harmless, they are contagious and can spread to other people and other areas of the body.

Home therapies such as topical treatments with salicylic acid are an option but can take months to work and can even be painful. They also don't treat the underlying virus causing the wart.

While there is no single surefire way to treat warts, the team at Spyglass Dermatology employs state-of-the-art methods that can help prevent a wart from becoming larger, more painful, or bleeding and spreading.

Treatment options can include:

• Cryotherapy (freezing of the skin cells that contain the virus)
• Cantharidin (a liquid painted onto a wart)
• Excision (during which warts are cut out)

Will a wart go away on its own if it's left untreated?

Warts can resolve on their own if they're left untreated. This is more common in children with otherwise healthy immune systems. However, it can take many months for a wart to go away, and proper home care is essential to ensure it does not spread.

If a wart continues to grow, becomes painful, spreads to other areas, or does not go away within three months, it's recommended that you get professional care.

Get wart treatment in Stuart and Tequesta, FL

While an untreated wart may go away on its own, it's wise to see a dermatologist about any new skin growth to ensure it's identified properly. Even if you opt for topical treatments, the team at Spyglass Dermatology can give you advice about how to care for your skin.

Our small, personal clinic gives you the care you need and the same access to cutting-edge technology that you'll find at larger clinics. Make an appointment today at our office in Stuart or Tequesta, FL to talk about your skin condition and get expert advice on how to treat your wart.