What types of warts does Adult & Pediatric Dermatology treat?

We treat all common wart types including common warts (verruca vulgaris), plantar warts on the feet, flat warts (verruca plana), filiform warts on the face and neck, and genital warts (condyloma acuminata). Each type requires a specific treatment approach based on location, size, and patient age.

How are warts removed at a dermatology practice?

Wart removal options include cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), cantharidin application (causes the wart to blister and lift off), electrosurgery (burning with electrical current), laser treatment, and prescription topical medications such as salicylic acid or imiquimod. Dr. Paltiel selects the best approach based on the wart type, location, and patient preference.

How many wart treatment sessions are typically needed?

Most warts require 2 to 6 treatment sessions spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart. Plantar warts and mosaic warts (clusters on the feet) tend to be more resistant and may need more sessions. Stubborn or recurrent warts may be treated with a combination approach. Complete clearance is the goal of treatment.

Are warts contagious and how do they spread?

Yes. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are contagious. They spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, through surfaces such as locker room floors and shared towels, and through self-inoculation (touching a wart and then touching another area of skin). Minor cuts or abrasions make skin more susceptible to HPV entry.

Smooth Skin Starts With Wart Removal in Queens

Name: Wart Removal - Adult & Pediatric Dermatology
Brand: Adult & Pediatric Dermatology
Rating: 4.8 (1198 reviews)

Warts are benign skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the outer layer of skin through cuts, abrasions, or direct contact. Common types include common warts, plantar warts (on the feet), flat warts, and filiform warts. While warts are not medically dangerous, they can be uncomfortable, persistent, and cosmetically bothersome. At Adult & Pediatric Dermatology in Forest Hills, Queens, Dr. Michael Paltiel offers effective wart removal treatments including cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen), topical medications, laser therapy, and excision. Treatment approach is selected based on wart type, location, and the patient’s age and overall health.

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Warts

Warts are a common skin problem, affecting 33% of children and teenagers and 3-5% of adults. If you have one or more warts affecting your quality of life, don’t wait to seek professional help. At Adult and Pediatric Dermatology in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens, New York, the team of medical dermatologists specializes in diagnosing and treating warts. Call the office today or click the online booking feature to make an appointment at the practice.

What are warts?

Warts are small, skin-colored growths that form on your hands, fingers, and/or feet. They’re caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Warts affect people of all ages, but they’re especially common in children and teenagers. Most warts go away on their own, but if yours are painful or make you feel self-conscious, make an appointment with the Adult and Pediatric Dermatology team.

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What are the symptoms
of warts?

Most warts are visible to the eye. They’re small, flesh-colored growths that are rough to the touch. Many warts have a black spot in the middle called the “seed.” The seed is a group of clotted blood vessels.

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When should I see a
dermatologist about warts?

Make an appointment with the Adult and Pediatric Dermatology team if your warts:

Change color
Return after at-home treatment
Keep you from work or other activities
Grow rapidly or are painful

You should also make an appointment at Adult and Pediatric Dermatology if you’re an adult and several warts appear suddenly. This could point to an underlying problem with your immune system.

Can warts be prevented?

You can do several things to significantly reduce your risk of developing warts. The Adult and Pediatric Dermatology team recommends:

Avoiding direct contact with warts
Not picking at or scratching your warts
Avoiding bad habits like biting your fingernails
Not sharing nail clippers, emery boards, or nail files with others

If you regularly use public facilities, like locker rooms or saunas, it’s also a good idea to wear shoes and/or socks to prevent exposure to HPV.

Most Major
Insurances Accepted

Most Major Insurances Accepted

Please call our office if you do not see your insurance plan listed below. If your insurance plan requires you to obtain a referral from your primary care doctor, please obtain one prior to your visit or call our office to ask if a referral or authorization is needed for your insurance. If referral is not available at the time of the visit, your appointment will be rescheduled.

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How are warts treated?

The Adult and Pediatric Dermatology team offers several outpatient treatments for warts. Depending on your age, medical history, and the number of warts you have, our provider could recommend:

Frequently Asked Questions About Wart Treatment

Are warts contagious?

Yes. Warts are caused by strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with surfaces that an infected person has touched. Warts are more likely to spread when the skin is broken, wet, or damaged. Sharing towels, razors, or walking barefoot in public areas like locker rooms and swimming pools increases the risk of transmission.

Will warts go away on their own?

Some warts, particularly in children, resolve spontaneously as the immune system clears the HPV infection – this can take 1 to 2 years or longer. However, warts that are painful, spreading, multiplying, or in cosmetically sensitive areas generally benefit from professional treatment. Waiting for spontaneous resolution carries the risk of spreading the virus to other areas of skin or to other people.

What is cryotherapy and how does it treat warts?

Cryotherapy involves the application of liquid nitrogen (at approximately -196°C) to the wart tissue, causing it to freeze and die. After treatment, a blister forms and the dead tissue sloughs off over 1 to 2 weeks. Multiple sessions spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart are often needed for complete clearance. Cryotherapy is one of the most commonly used and effective first-line treatments for common and plantar warts.

Can warts come back after treatment?

Recurrence is possible because wart treatments destroy the visible wart but do not eliminate the underlying HPV virus from the skin. The immune system must ultimately clear the virus. Recurrence rates vary by treatment method and patient immune status. Multiple treatment sessions and good hygiene practices can reduce recurrence risk. Patients with compromised immune systems may be more prone to recurrent or persistent warts.

Should I try over-the-counter treatments before seeing a dermatologist?

Over-the-counter treatments containing salicylic acid can be effective for small, common warts and are appropriate as a first step. However, if the wart is large, painful, located on the face or genitals, not responding to OTC treatment after 2 to 3 months, or spreading, evaluation by a board-certified dermatologist is recommended. Professional treatments are significantly more effective for resistant or complex warts.

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Smooth Skin Starts With Wart Removal in Queens

Warts