Age warts removal: options and aftercare

Removal is commonly considered when a growth is irritated, catches on clothing, or is unwanted cosmetically. It does not prevent separate growths from appearing elsewhere.

Cryotherapy uses controlled cold to damage the growth so it sheds during healing. Curettage lifts or scrapes away the lesion, sometimes combined with cautery to control the treated base. Electrosurgery uses electrical energy to remove or destroy selected tissue.

No single technique suits every growth. Thickness, body site, number of lesions, skin tone, medicines and the importance of the cosmetic result all affect the recommendation.

Tell the clinician if the lesion has changed, bled without friction, or was never formally diagnosed. Also mention blood-thinning medicines, a tendency to form raised scars, previous pigment changes and any reaction to local anaesthetic.

After treatment, follow the wound-care instructions provided for that method. Gentle cleansing, avoiding picking and protecting healing skin from strong sun can reduce avoidable irritation. A crust or tender area may form before fresh skin settles.

Have an uncertain growth examined promptly if it changes rapidly, has several colours, develops an irregular outline, repeatedly bleeds, remains painful or does not heal. A clinician may recommend sampling rather than routine cosmetic destruction when the diagnosis is unclear.

After a procedure, contact the treating service for spreading redness, worsening swelling, increasing pain, pus, fever or bleeding that does not settle with firm pressure.

Useful questions include how certain the diagnosis is, why one technique fits this lesion, whether a specimen should be examined, what wound care is required, and whether lightening, darkening, texture change or scarring is possible.