WARTS (VERRUCA VULGARIS)



Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas.

Warts (Verruca Vulgaris) for Hamilton, Grimsby and Stoney Creek

General Information:

  • Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus - HPV.
  • Warts are transmitted when tiny particles of dead skin and wart virus are shed from the surface of a wart.  These particles may be directly spread to a person (e.g. shaking hands) or may fall to the floor or another surface.  When a person's skin contacts the particles (e.g. walking on an infected floor in a public shower or change room), the virus takes root and a new wart starts to grow.  
  • The term "plantar warts" refers to warts on the soles of the feet (i.e. the plantar surface of the foot).
  • Warts are not transmitted or carried by animals other than humans.
  • You cannot get warts from a toad.
  • Warts can affect any area of the body where there is skin including the scalp, face, nostrils, eyelids, palms, soles and genitals.
  • There is no medication (cream or pills) available at this time, which can kill the virus.
  • As a result multiple treatments are usually needed.
  • Warts will eventually go away on their own, even if they are not treated. This may take months or years.
  • On average, it takes 6 treatments to eliminate hand warts, and 12 treatments to remove warts on the feet.
  • Approximately 70% of warts can be cured.
  • Warts are difficult to spread to other people.
  • There is no need to stop participation in sporting activities.
  • There is no need to treat the shower or bathroom with bleach after a person with warts has used it.
  • There is no need to use a separate bathroom from other family members.
  • You may wish to cover your warts with a bandage but this probably does not reduce the risk of spreading them to other people.

Treatments:

Liquid Nitrogen:

  • It is a cold spray used to 'freeze' the wart to destroy it.
  • The treatments are painful and the area treated may remain painful for 1 to 2 days.
  • The treatment may produce a blister or a blood blister. This is normal.
  • If the blister is painful, "pop" it with a sterile needle to let the fluid out.
  • The treated area requires no special treatment.
  • You may bathe normally.
  • A bandage is not necessary, although it may make the area more comfortable.
  • Treatment is usually done every 1 to 2 weeks. If treatments are spread further apart they are even less effective.

Cantharone Plus:

  • Is a liquid that produces blisters when applied to skin.
  • Cantharone Plus is made from a beetle from the jungles of South America. The beetle uses the blister producing fluid as a defense mechanism.
  • The application of Cantharone Plus is painless.
  • The treated area is covered with a bandage or tape.
  • Cantharone Plus will produce blisters if it is applied to normal skin, the eyes or the mouth. It is very important that the treated area not be touched and remains covered.
  • Cantharone Plus is usually washed off three hours after it is applied. A glove should be worn when it is washed off because it is poisonous.  Hands should be carefully washed afterwards also.
  • A blister may form in the treated areas within 24 hours of treatment. This is normal.
  • If the blister is painful, 'pop' it with a sterile needle to let the fluid out.
  • Treatment is usually done every 1 to 2 weeks. If treatments are spread further apart they are even less effective.

Over the Counter Treatments:

  • There are many available. All of these medications contain salicylic acid which softens up the wart and makes it easier to scrape down.
  • None of these medications can kill the wart virus.
  • These medications tend to work very slowly.

Insurance Coverage:

OHIP insures or covers the treatment of warts:

  • On the soles of the feet
  • Genital Warts
  • On the face in children under age 18
  • Organ Transplant Patients (e.g. kidney, heart, liver)

OHIP does NOT insure or cover the treatment of warts:

  • On the hands
  • On the body - excluding the genitals and soles of the feet
  • The face in adults (over age 18)

Treatment of OHIP uninsured areas are usually not covered by private insurance either.

You will be given a receipt at the time of payment that you may wish to submit it to your private insurance carrier.

What if you are interested to learn more?

For your convenience, the services above are available in my office.


What if you are interested to learn more?


If you would like to learn more:

  • E-Mail Us
  • Or give us a call at 905-549-1025