WARTS



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
  • They 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 available at this time, which can kill the virus
  • As a result multiple treatments are often needed
  • Warts will eventually go away on their own, even if they are not treated. This may take years
  • On average, it takes 6 treatments to treat hand warts, and 12 treatments to treat 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
  • 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

Cantharone Plus

  • Is a liquid that produces blisters when applied to skin
  • The medication 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
  • Blisters may form in the treated areas within 24 hours of treatment. This is normal
  • The blisters may be 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
  • 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

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



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)
  • These treatments are usually not covered by private insurance either but you will be given a receipt at the time of payment for your treatment that you may wish to submit to your insurance

What if you are interested to learn more?

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


If you would like to learn more:

  • Please click on the underlined links above
  • E-Mail Us
  • Or give us a call at 905-549-1025