Asklepion / Your problems / Warts
Warts
Warts have a variety of presentations, as small shiny papules to reddish or brown elevated formations which grow with time. They are caused by viral infection. The transmission is usually through small scratches, most frequently in damp areas. If they are not treated they quickly multiply.
Warts can be removed easily with a scalpel, by freezing with liquid nitrogen, or with application of different chemical „corrosive” substances. These methods frequently provide only partial treatment and there is some subsequent scaring.
In Asklepion we practise a more advanced method of wart removal with the help of laser, which removes the wart totally and without any scaring. For the removal on the hands there is usually a requirement of 3–4 treatments, on the soles of feet this has to be more frequent.
The laser Vbeam
This pulsed colour laser achieves selective removal, with interruption of blood supply, where the wart dries up and drops off, without any risk of subsequent scaring. With small and intermediate sized warts this is the best therapy and hardly ever fails.
Erbium laser in combination with laser Vbeam
The surface of skin is treated by special creams and is exposed to Erbium laser. This therapy has an exact precision for the depth of the thickened skin treated (i.e. hyperkeratosis). This is followed by rays of so called vessel laser. This method is used in patients who failed to respond to the previously described therapies and the warts are deeply seated and/or progressively multiply.
Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) combined with laser Vbeam
The wart is first covered with aminolevulinic acid. The wart tissue absorbs this substance and after exposure of the vessel to the laser red light it dies. No other part of skin is affected and the doctor can remove even well anchored deep warts. This method destroys watte completely in nearly all cases.
There is a small red wound after the therapy which can change to a small blister, later to a scab, which after a few days drops off. The area has to be protected from sun rays for about 6 weeks, for example with creams like Photoderm, which prevent the possible pigmentation of the treated place.