The Hudson Dermatology team offers several treatment options to remove unwanted warts and address any other skin conditions or concerns patients might have. Our team of medical professionals is devoted to delivering thoughtful and discrete medical and cosmetic care to all patients.

The human papillomavirus is a viral infection capable of entering a cut or break in the skin, causing an infection that results in lesions or bumps. Sometimes the lesions disappear on their own without treatment, but this process can take several years, and it is impossible to predict which ones might resolve, so many patients seek treatment sooner.

Warts are contagious and can be acquired through skin-to-skin contact, contact with a contaminated object (such as a doorknob), shaving, nail biting, and sexual intercourse. Women and men with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to infection by the virus.

There are different types of warts based on the location of the infection. These are some of the types to watch for:

While most warts are benign and eventually disappear without intervention, some can cause issues including skin cancer, infection, pain, and embarrassment—but patients can feel confident knowing there are several removal options available at NY’s Hudson Dermatology.

Whether you’re interested in wart removal for aesthetic or medical reasons, our dermatologists are ready to help with empathy, experience, and discretion. There are a variety of wart removal treatments available, and the best method for each patient depends on a variety of factors such as the location and size of the lesion, as well as patient preference. During a consultation, a medical professional will examine the area and discuss the best options for your particular situation.

For some patients, the dermatologist may recommend a topical medication that works by forming a small blister under the wart. Cryotherapy is another popular removal method that involves applying liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesion, causing the unwanted growth to peel away. This is much more effective than over-the-counter cryotherapy devices available at pharmacies. Another method may involve boosting the immune system to recognize and attack the virus. Laser treatments involve utilizing powerful light energy to kill the blood vessels feeding the wart, cutting off its blood supply and causing it to die. All of these treatment options are outpatient procedures that take very little time and require very little recovery after.

Molluscum resembles warts, but is caused by a different virus—a poxvirus—and typically develops in lines and clusters. Seborrheic keratoses also have some resemblance, but are a common, normal, non-infectious growth on aging skin. Moles may also form as bumps on the skin, but are commonly darker-colored and are not the result of a virus, but of pigment-producing cells. Small, rough lesions could be an actinic keratosis, which is pre-cancerous sun damage. Schedule a full-body scan to have any unusual lesions or growths examined and diagnosed in order to start the appropriate treatment.

For more information about warts, visit the American Academy of Dermatology’s page on the condition.