The time it takes to remove a wart depends on the treatment you choose and the type of wart you have. The immune response, or how the body reacts to the treatment, also plays a role.
This write-up discusses all the necessary information about wart removal treatment time, including what influences it. It compares wart removal methods and offers tips for speeding this process up. Have you been wondering how long warts take to go away after treatment?
Factors that Influence Wart Removal Treatment Time
Several factors affect wart removal treatment time and determine its effectiveness. We will discuss these factors a bit closer.
Type of Wart
Not all warts are the same. Treatments for common warts on the hands usually work faster than treatments for stubborn plantar warts on the soles of your feet. Since some strains of HPV cause genital warts, which are often treated with specialised treatments, they can affect when treatment starts.
Size and Location of the Wart
Warts in high-friction areas, like the soles of your feet, may take longer to treat and may be more extensive. Individuals who have thicker skin in certain areas may find that treatments take longer than others. For example, warts on thick skin, such as the feet, may take longer to heal than warts on thinner skin, such as the fingers.
Immune System Response
The removal of warts and the time required for treatment depend significantly on your immune system. Because of this, people with more muscular immune systems can also see their warts disappear more quickly, as the body is able to fight the virus that causes the wart better. For example, people with an underdeveloped immune system could take much longer.
This will help you know what to expect during your wart removal journey.
Over-the-counter methods and timelines of wart removal.
In many cases, OTC treatments are the first choice for thousands of people to get rid of warts. These methods are inexpensive, convenient, and easy to use at home. So, how effective are they, and how much wart removal treatment time is involved with these options?
Wart Removal Creams
Sometimes, wart removal creams containing salicylic acid are a good solution for smaller warts. These creams soften and peel the wart tissue. However, patience is the key.
How long does it take to see results after applying the cream? On average, 4 to 12 weeks. Filing away dead skin regularly and following instructions helps for faster progress.
Freezing Kits (Cryotherapy)
These wart kits work similarly to professional treatment, as liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and kill the wart tissue. OTC freezing kits are convenient but relatively weaker than in-clinic treatments. Warts can take 2 to 4 weeks to show results, but complete removal can require more rounds of freezing, which can take up to 6 weeks or longer.
Salicylic Acid Treatments
OTC wart treatments include salicylic acid-based patches, gels, and solutions. They work by working through the layers of the wart until the wart ultimately becomes exposed to your immune system and the virus. However, wart removal treatment takes 6 to 12 weeks, and because most people may need to use it each day, your treatment time will vary.
Duct Tape Method
Although it’s not the most conventional method of removing warts, the duct tape method has managed to make it into the DIY wart treatment list. If you’re looking for a way to suffocate the wart, you can do it by covering it with duct tape for a few days and then filing it down to bare skin. This may allow the wart to be covered in peeling skin. This method may show visible improvement in 1 to 2 months, but results vary.
Effectiveness of OTC Methods
OTC options are a good place to start, but you’ll definitely need dedication and patience. These treatments may not work for some warts, particularly large or stubborn ones, in which case you may need professional assistance.
How Long It Takes to Recover after Treatment for Professional Wart Removal
Over-the-counter treatments may be effective for you, but if not, professional treatments may be the answer. However, these options are usually better and faster than treatment methods, reducing the wart removal treatment time quite significantly. Now, let’s break down common clinical treatments and their timelines.
Cryotherapy
Freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen is called cryotherapy. It destroys the wart tissue, and the wart tissue blisters and then falls off. It takes a few minutes to do the process, but the wart can still fall off, depending on the type of wart, in 1 to 3 weeks. At the moment, larger or stubborn warts will need repeated sessions 2 or 3 weeks apart, which will stretch out the overall time frame to a few months.
Laser Treatments
Concentrated light energy is used with laser therapy to focus on the wart and kill the blood vessels that feed it. This method is usually used for resistant or deep-rooted warts, like plantar warts. However, recovery takes 2 to 4 weeks. Some warts go away immediately, but others may need several treatments to be cleared.
Electrosurgery
Electrosurgery uses an electrical current to burn the wart tissue. Although it’s quick, it can still take 1 to 2 weeks to heal. More prominent warts or those in sensitive areas that have not responded to other treatments are ideal candidates for electrosurgery.
Surgical Excision
Surgical excision may be recommended (particularly for stubborn or painful warts). The procedure involves physically cutting out the wart under local anaesthesia. The wart is instantly removed, but recovery takes between 2 weeks and 3 weeks, depending on the size and location of the wart.
Professional Treatments: Less Wart Removal Treatment time
In fact, professional treatments are often faster because they’re more potent and have a narrower focus. In addition, they are performed by experts who customise the treatment to your individual needs, utilising the least amount of risk of recurrence.
Natural Remedies for Warts: Do They Take Longer?
Most people also use natural remedies to treat their warts than conventional methods. While these types of treatments are usually inexpensive and convenient, they more commonly take longer and can be more frustrating than a visit to a dermatologist or an over-the-counter treatment. Let’s figure out the treatment time for wart removal for different remedies.
Timelines of Popular Natural Remedies For Wart Removal
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular home remedies for warts. Its acidic properties are thought to break down wart tissue. A cotton ball soaked in vinegar is placed on the wart and kept on with a bandage. Depending on how big or where the wart is, visible results might take 4 to 8 weeks.
2. Duct Tape Occlusion
The duct tape method involves covering the wart to suffocate it softening the tissue. The wart is filed down while the tape is off, roughly every few days. The process can take 1 to 2 months to do its job, but the effectiveness differs.
3. Garlic Application
Garlic has natural antiviral properties that may help combat the virus-causing warts. Crushing garlic and then applying it directly to the wart will cause the tissue to peel. But your results with this method won’t be as dramatic—unless you use it every day for 6 weeks or more
4. Tea Tree Oil
Some uses of tea tree oil include treating warts because it’s known to have antimicrobial benefits. Dropping a few drops each day may decrease the wart to 6–8 weeks’ size.
Natural Remedies: Greater Wart Removal Treatment Time.
When natural remedies are used for wart removal, the treatment time is too long. However, consistent application is essential, and some people find that challenging.
Are They Worth Trying?
Natural remedies are best for smaller, less stubborn warts or for those who would prefer a gentler approach. However, depending on when you need results and what kind of problems you have, trying more natural remedies in combination with professional advice might be faster.
Warts Removal Treatment time without treatment?
But if you choose to leave warts untreated, you may be wondering how long they’ll hang around. As a matter of fact, wart removal treatment time without treatment may differ widely by several factors, such as the type of the wart and your immune system response.
The Natural Course of Warts
Common warts disappear on their own most of the time because the immune system fights off the human papillomavirus (HPV). But this process can take anywhere from several months to a few years. Research shows that about:
Warts usually disappear within 6 months, and 30% of them will disappear within this time frame.
65% of the warts generally resolve in two years or less.
However, even if left untreated, a small percentage of these can persist for longer.
Why Some Warts Persist Longer
1. Immune System Strength: If you have a strong immune system, it can probably clear the warts fast, but people with poor immunity have a tough time removing them
2. Type of Wart: Some warts, such as plantar or genital warts, are slow to treat, while others, such as standard or flat warts, are more likely to come and go.
3. Location: Warts on high-resistance areas like the feet tend to grow and spread more quickly than other areas, and they won’t go away quickly on their own.
Risks of Waiting It Out
While waiting for warts to disappear might seem harmless, it comes with risks:
- Spreading the Virus: If you don’t treat warts, they can grow and spread to other parts of the body or other people.
- Discomfort: Sometimes, warts in sensitive areas can become painful or even irritated.
- Increased Resistance: It is possible that long-lasting warts can become more resistant to treatment as time goes on
- To save time and avoid complications, it helps to find treatment for persistent warts.
How to keep the skin healthy after wart removal
This is only the first step to getting rid of warts. Once you have had a proper treatment, you want to make sure they don’t come back and that your skin is healthy. Below are a couple of simple tips you may follow to have smooth, wart-free skin.
Clean and Dry
Once you’ve done it, though, you have to keep the area clean and dry afterwards to avoid infection. First, you can clean that area gently with mild soap and warm water, then pat heavily with a clean towel.
Moisturise the Skin
Treatments that remove warts, such as cryotherapy or electrosurgery, can leave your skin dry and irritated. Use a soft, fragrance-free moisturiser to help calm and hydrate your area.
Don’t Touch or Pick the Area.
Don’t fight the urge to touch, pick, or scratch at this grossly contaminated area since that cements the wound closed while making it easier for the virus to spread and more likely to scar.
Practice Good Hygiene
The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes warts and loves warm, moist areas. Prevent recurrence by:
- Hand washing.
- People should not use towels or razors that other people use.
- Prevent plantar warts by having clean socks on your feet and breathable shoes.
Boost Your Immune System
A strong immune system can help ward off the HPV virus that causes warts. Eat foods that enhance the immune system, such as vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. Regular exercise and healthy sleep can also help the immune system function.
Monitor for Recurrence
You should check your skin for new growths even after successful wart removal. Treatment is quick when early detection is made before the virus can spread.
Following these steps will reduce your chances of getting warts back, keep you healthy, and have radiant skin.
When Should You Get Professional Treatment?
Common over-the-counter remedies will treat many warts at home, but there are cases when a professional is needed.
- If your wart doesn’t go away after several weeks of treatment, becomes painful, more prominent, or begins to spread, seek medical advice.
- If the warts are in sensitive areas like the genital region or the bottom of your feet, there’s going to be a lot of pressure.
- However, if you have several warts or a recurring wart, professional treatments such as cryotherapy, laser therapy, or electrosurgery will give faster results than can be achieved without a doctor’s help.
However, it is especially crucial to seek expert treatment if you have a low immune system or are complicated by infection or scar. Based on your needs, healthcare providers can safely and efficiently remove the wart and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Yet even if this doesn’t work for you, do yourself a favour and book in to see one of revitalise London’s highly skilled experts. Our physicians will be able to select the best treatments for you so that you have healthy, clear skin.
Revitalise London To Minimise Your Wart Removal Treatment Time.
Our treatments at revitalise London for expert wart removal are both practical and very efficient, as part of our team of experts is ready to assist you. In our institute, our skilled team of professionals gives your skin the best care and works quickly and safely to solve your wart problems.
Here’s why revitalise London should be your go-to for wart removal:
- Tailored Treatments: Each skin type is different, so we know that. Our approach is unique because we provide tailored treatments specifically for you to ensure you get the results you will love with as little downtime as possible.
- Advanced Technology: Using the latest in cryotherapy and laser treatments, warts are removed expeditiously and efficiently with the most advanced equipment available.
- Expert Care: You can be sure you’re in good hands when you seek our help, as we have treated many types of warts in our years of experience.
- Comfort and Convenience: Our focus is to create a comfortable environment for all of our clients. We intend to make the treatment experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.
If you do want to rid yourself of warts, choose revitalise London and return to smooth, clear skin without the risk of them coming back.