Warts are typically harmless but can be irritating to deal with. Warts can spread very easily and take ages to disappear. It’s important to understand what could cause warts and how they can be treated. Dr. Sharon Horton at Advanced Dermatology and Mohs Surgery in Batavia, Aurora, Dekalb, Elgin, Naperville, and Wheaton, IL, can explain what causes warts and how you can deal with them.

What Causes Warts?

Warts are caused by a virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV). It’s common that you may develop this virus after dealing with a cut or damaged skin. If you come in contact with another person that is dealing with warts, you may also end up with warts. Warts are extremely contagious and spread through skin-to-skin contact. Our dermatologist in Batavia, Aurora, Dekalb, Elgin, Naperville, and Wheaton, IL, can help identify your warts and help you start treatment as soon as possible.

Warts can heal on their own, but they can often take months to disappear on their own. During this time, warts can also spread around your body and continue to multiply. Our dermatologist can examine the wart and figure out the best form of treatment. They may apply a substance called cantharidin to the wart, which causes a blister to form and the wart to eventually fall off. Freezing may also be used in a similar way.

If a wart is severe and hard to treat, your doctor may need to cut the wart out with an excision.

Contact Our Dermatologist Today

Find out how to get rid of your warts. Contact Dr. Sharon Horton at Advanced Dermatology and Mohs Surgery in Batavia, Aurora, Dekalb, Elgin, Naperville, and Wheaton, IL, to learn more about warts and what causes them. Call for more information and to schedule your appointment today at (630) 482-3700.