Warts are skin growths caused by viruses called human papillomaviruses (HPV). They often appear on the hands, feet, or other parts of the body. There are several methods to treat warts, depending on their type, location, and size
Treatments for warts
Laser center or cryotherapy treatments are particularly effective in removing warts, especially when they are resistant to more traditional or over-the-counter methods. Here are more details about these treatments:
1. Cryotherapy in medical centers:
- Principle: Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen at a very low temperature (about -196°C) to freeze the wart and destroy the infected cells. Cryotherapy applied by a professional is more powerful than products sold in pharmacies, and it penetrates deeper into the skin.
- Process: The doctor applies the liquid nitrogen using a cotton swab or spray directly to the wart. This causes a cold burn, and the wart turns white. A few days later, she broke loose and fell.
- Duration and effectiveness: Several sessions (usually 1 to 2 weeks apart) may be necessary to completely remove the wart. It is a quick method, with few scars, and often used for plantar warts or on the hands.
- Effects: Redness, mild pain or blistering at the treated site. These effects are usually transient
2. Laser Treatment:
- Principle: The laser uses intense light to burn and vaporize tissue infected with the HPV virus. It is especially useful for stubborn or difficult-to-treat warts.
- Types of lasers:
- CO2 laser: Widely used for resistant warts, it vaporizes the layers of the wart without touching the surrounding tissue.
- Pulsed dye laser: This type of laser targets the blood vessels that feed the wart, resulting in its death.
- Process: Treatment is quick and may require local anesthesia, especially if the wart is deep or large. Several sessions may be necessary, depending on the response of the wart
Laser CO2
The CO2 laser is a very effective method for treating warts, especially those that are resistant to conventional treatments such as salicylic acid or cryotherapy. This type of laser is often used in dermatology to remove various skin growths, including warts. Here are more details about this treatment:
1. Principle of CO2 laser:
- Targeted spraying: The CO2 laser emits an intense beam of light that vaporizes the superficial layers of the skin infected with the HPV virus. It burns the wart cells without significantly damaging the surrounding healthy tissue.
- Precision: The CO2 laser is very precise, which makes it possible to remove warts even in difficult areas such as fingers, toes or face.
- Controlled Heat: The laser heats the wart to a high temperature, which destroys it instantly.
2. Processing process:
- Preparation: Treatment is often performed under local anesthesia, especially if the wart is large or painful.
- Rapid intervention: The procedure is usually quick, and the patient can leave the centre immediately afterwards. The session lasts from a few minutes to about half an hour depending on the number and size of the warts to be treated.
- Results: After the procedure, the wart dries out and forms a scab that falls off within a few days to a week, giving way to healthy skin. The healing process can take up to two weeks.
3. Advantages of CO2 laser to treat warts:
- High efficiency: The CO2 laser is particularly effective against warts that are resistant to other treatments. He has a low recidivism rate.
- Minimal healing: The CO2 laser, thanks to its precision, minimizes the risk of visible scars after healing.
- Suitable for hard-to-reach warts: This treatment is ideal for warts located on delicate areas, such as the face, eyelids, or genital areas.
4. Potential Disadvantages:
- Pain and discomfort: Some people may experience pain during or after the procedure, but local anesthesia helps minimize this discomfort.
- Recovery time: There may be redness, crusting, or slight swelling on the treated area during healing.
- Cost: CO2 laser treatment can be more expensive than other methods, but its effectiveness often justifies the investment.
In summary, the CO2 laser is a great option for warts that are stubborn or located in sensitive areas, offering precise and effective treatment with a low risk of scarring.