Can common warts be cut with scissors?

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on September 20, 2024
00:00
00:00

Common warts should not be cut with scissors. Common warts are a type of viral skin infection caused by the human papillomavirus resulting in benign growths. Using scissors to cut them can easily lead to further infections, so it is not recommended to use scissors to remove common warts. If you have common warts, you can visit the dermatology department of a standard hospital. If the warts are small, you can apply creams containing retinoic acid or imiquimod cream. If topical medications are not effective, treatments like liquid nitrogen freezing or carbon dioxide laser treatment can be employed. The occurrence of common warts is also somewhat related to a decrease in the body's immune function, so it is important to exercise regularly to boost the immune system and avoid staying up late.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
1min 4sec home-news-image

Is a common wart an HPV carrier?

Common warts are caused by HPV, the human papillomavirus, which infects the skin and mucous membranes, causing benign growths that appear as various types of warts. Clinically common types include ordinary warts, flat warts, plantar warts, and genital warts, among others. Common warts are also known as verruca vulgaris, predominantly caused by HPV type 2, and they mainly occur between the ages of 5 and 20 but can also appear in other age groups. Due to autoinoculation, they can occur on any part of the body, primarily on the hands. Common precipitating factors include hand injuries or conditions involving swelling and soaking. Typical lesions are the size of a soybean or larger, grey-brown, brown, or flesh-colored papules with a rough surface, hard texture, and may have a cauliflower-like or papillomatous growth.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Ya Ping
Dermatology Department
59sec home-news-image

Are common warts and plantar warts the same?

Plantar warts are common warts that occur on the soles of the feet. Therefore, plantar warts are a special type of common wart that occurs on the soles of the feet. Plantar warts belong to the category of common warts. Common warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the skin and mucous membranes, resulting in benign growths such as common warts, flat warts, or genital warts, among others. However, the subtypes of HPV causing these infections vary. Additionally, within common warts, those occurring on the soles of the feet are specifically referred to as plantar warts. Plantar warts mainly appear on the front part of the sole, which is an area subject to friction and often sweatier, thus making it more susceptible to warts. These warts can be painful, or they might not cause any discomfort at all.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
1min 8sec home-news-image

How long does it take for common warts to fall off after they turn black?

After common warts turn black, they generally fall off within about a week. Common warts, also known as verruca vulgaris, are primarily caused by infection with the human papillomavirus, typically by the type 2 HPV virus. The occurrence of common warts is associated with numerous factors; they often arise when the body's immune system is weakened, or when warts already present are frequently scratched, which can lead to inoculation infection. Common warts can occur on various parts of the body and are commonly found on the hands. The hands are particularly susceptible if they are kept in water for prolonged periods, which can easily trigger the appearance of common warts. Typical lesions of common warts are pea-sized or larger, gray-brown or brown papules with a rough surface and hard texture, forming papillomatous proliferations. If common warts appear, treatment options such as liquid nitrogen freezing or carbon dioxide laser treatment are available at hospitals.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
55sec home-news-image

Does common warts spread by skin contact?

Common warts can be contagious through skin contact. Common warts, also known as verruca vulgaris, are caused by the human papillomavirus, abbreviated as HPV. Theoretically, common warts can be contagious through close contact, but transmission is not guaranteed upon skin contact and depends on each individual's resistance to the virus. When affected by common warts, it's important to enhance the cleanliness of the affected skin area, and also to disinfect clothing and the surrounding environment. Treatment can be supported by using immunomodulators among other symptomatic therapies. The primary treatment for common warts is physical removal methods, such as liquid nitrogen freezing or carbon dioxide laser treatments to remove the warts, and topical application of interferon gel can also be used.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
1min 10sec home-news-image

What should I do if new warts grow around the area after freezing common warts?

After cryotherapy for common warts, it is common for new warts to appear around the treated area. This is because common warts are caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a type of viral skin disease that tends to recur. Persistence in treatment is necessary in such cases. Treatments such as liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, carbon dioxide laser therapy, or high-frequency electronic ion cautery can be used. The occurrence of common warts is usually related to decreased immune function in the body. Therefore, it might be beneficial to use immunomodulators, such as interferon or thymopeptides enteric capsules, which have certain inhibitory effects. Concurrently, some traditional Chinese medicines that clear heat and detoxify, soothe the wind and balance the liver, along with other topical Chinese herbal treatments, can be used. A combined approach of Chinese and Western medicine often results in better outcomes. It is also important to engage in appropriate exercise to boost the body's immune system.