Can flat warts be removed by cautery?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on January 08, 2025
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Flat warts are caused by papillomavirus infection. This disease is highly contagious and recurrent, making treatment complex. Generally, if there are only a few at the onset, laser removal can be used, followed by topical application of interferon to prevent recurrence. If there are many flat warts, laser treatment may not be very effective. Oral and topical medications are alternative options, such as antiviral drugs and immune-boosting medications, supplemented with topical application of interferon or localized interferon injections. If these methods are not effective enough, you may consider undergoing wart immunotherapy at a hospital, which generally yields better results overall. Laser treatment is suitable for flat warts, but only when they are few in number.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
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Are filiform warts the same as flat warts?

Filiform warts and flat warts are different. They have commonalities in that both are benign growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the skin and mucous membranes. However, they differ in their virus subtypes and shapes. Filiform warts are a type of common wart, characterized by their elongated, thin protrusions with keratinized tips, hence named filiform warts. These often occur in areas such as the neck, forehead, and eyelids. Flat warts are caused by HPV type 3 infections, typically occurring on the face, backs of hands, and forearms. The typical lesions are rice grain- or soybean-sized flat elevated papules with smooth surfaces, either the color of normal skin or light brown. They are numerous and densely packed. Scratching them can lead to a string of bead-like arrangements along the direction of the scratch.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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How to treat flat warts around the eyes.

Flat warts are caused by human papillomavirus infection, and they exhibit strong contagiousness and a tendency to recur. If they are located near the eyes and are relatively few in number, direct treatment with a laser can be employed. After the laser treatment, antiviral medication should be applied locally. Additionally, it is advisable to take some medications to enhance immune function, engage in regular exercise, and avoid spicy and irritating foods. If there are many warts and long-term treatment has been ineffective, immunotherapy for warts can be considered. This involves removing the warts and embedding the antigens and antibodies subcutaneously to stimulate the body's own antibody production against the virus. If this still does not yield satisfactory results, long-term treatment with oral and topical medications can be used, though this method requires persistence over an extended period.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Flat warts are caused by what?

Flat warts are a type of viral skin disease, primarily caused by the papillomavirus, characterized by skin overgrowths scattered across the skin, resembling the size of mung beans and are light brown flat papules. Flat warts are highly contagious, especially around the neck, backs of hands, face, and chest areas. Therefore, it is crucial to treat flat warts promptly to prevent spread and further infection.

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Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
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How is flat wart caused?

Flat warts are caused by a viral infection, with HPV as the pathogen. They commonly occur on exposed areas such as the face and the backs of the hands, and are most frequently seen in adult women and children. It is necessary to strengthen immunity and provide symptomatic treatment. When necessary, physical treatments can be used to promote the disappearance of the warts, such as the commonly used methods of liquid nitrogen freezing or laser treatments. Oral administration of thymopeptide enteric capsules or pimecrolimus granules can also be used. For particularly stubborn cases, in addition to the support of traditional Chinese medicine, treatment may also need to include skin photodynamic therapy. This involves a basic treatment course of once a week for three continuous weeks, applying a photosensitizer to the affected area followed by exposure to a certain light source.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Can flat warts heal on their own?

Flat warts are caused by an infection with the papillomavirus. This disease has a very low rate of self-healing and generally requires treatment to resolve because flat warts have strong contagiousness and recurrence. Once they appear, it is imperative to seek formal treatment immediately; waiting until they multiply will only increase the difficulty of treatment. Common treatments include laser or cryotherapy. Conventional oral and topical medications are particularly slow in effect, and most patients do not have very good outcomes. Immunotherapy for warts can also be used. These treatments are available in the dermatology departments of standard hospitals. It is crucial to avoid spicy and irritating foods, not to stay up late, and to refrain from repeatedly scratching when itching occurs. Scratching can cause wounds where the virus implants and proliferates, leading to the development of linear or band-like clusters of flat warts.