What Are Warts?
Common warts are a contagious skin condition caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) viruses. They usually form on the hands and feet as rough-textured growths that are often cauliflower-shaped. Warts on the feet can cause walking or exercising to be painful, making wart removal necessary.
Wart Removal Options
Dermatologists most often make the diagnosis of warts with clinical examination, however, a shave biopsy can also be done to confirm the diagnosis. If at-home wart removal treatments aren’t working or warts are becoming a nuisance, dermatologists will utilize medical and surgical wart-removal techniques. These may include topical medications, freezing (cryotherapy), and surgical excisions.
What Are Moles?
Moles, also referred to by the medical term nevi, are usually harmless skin growths that can develop on any area of the body. They generally have a uniform black or brown color and can be flat or raised. Whether you think of them as blemishes or beauty spots, they appear on just about everyone’s skin and are caused by pigment-producing skin cells called melanocytes.
Moles often appear in the early stages of a person’s life. They can change slightly as one ages, and new ones can continue to develop. Mole development is believed to be linked to sun exposure and genetics. Patients who find moles unsightly can have cosmetic mole removal. Flat moles may require different mole removal techniques than raised ones.
Types of Moles
- Congenital Moles/Birthmarks
- Common Moles/Acquired Moles
- Atypical Moles/Dysplastic Nevi
Mole Removal Options
Dermatologists advise against at-home mole removal techniques. You may inadvertently remove a pre-cancerous or cancerous mole or cause complications in a benign mole. Dermatologists will often perform a biopsy of a mole for further evaluation before deciding on mole removal specifics. Dermatopathologists examine the biopsy specimen under the microscope and render a definitive diagnosis.
Mole removal can be accomplished with a shave biopsy or an excisional biopsy. Excisional biopsies require sutures. Mole removal is considered a minor surgical procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ans. Moles can be removed with radiofrequency, laser or by shave excision depending upon their level of origin. Shave excision is done for epidermal and mixed nevi; while elliptical excision and resuturing is done for intradermal nevi. Warts are usually burnt to their base by radiofrequency ablation.
Ans. Warts and Mole removal is done under local anaesthesia and if superficial will not leave a scar. Deeper lesion may leave a thin surgical line.
Ans. The procedure of warts and moles removal usually takes around half an hour.
Ans. Yes, once treated adequately, the results are permanent for moles, while warts may recur and may require two or more treatment sessions.
Ans. For moles only one session is required, whereas warts may require two or more sittings.