Prescription wart treatments are usually recommended when over-the-counter (OTC) remedies have been ineffective or if a wart is resistant to treatment, large, or located in a sensitive area. According to Dr. Anthony Dee of the Dermatologic Center for Excellence in Clarence, NY, serving Buffalo, NY prescription treatments for warts are typically stronger and more effective than over-the-counter remedy options.
Common Prescription Wart Treatments
The choice of treatment for your wart will be contingent on its specific type, location, and your medical history and needs. The following are the most common prescription treatments for warts.
Topical Wart Treatments
- Topical Retinoids (Tretinoin)
This topical, which is available as a gel or cream, is a vitamin A derivative. It works by encouraging skin cells to shed and, thus, helps to reduce the size/appearance of warts. - Imiquimod (Aldara)
This topical cream, which can be applied at home, stimulates the immune system, which causes it to fight the virus causing the warts. - Cantharidin
This topical is applied directly by a dermatologist, which causes a blister to form and lift the wart off the skin. In about a week, dead tissue can be trimmed.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy, a.k.a. cryosurgery, freezes a wart with the use of liquid nitrogen. A dermatologist or healthcare provider usually performs this and may need multiple treatments for complete success.
Electrosurgery and Curettage
This surgical procedure, which is done in a medical outpatient setting, involves cutting off the wart and then burning the wart’s base with an electrical instrument to prevent future growth.
Intralesional Immunotherapy
This prescription wart treatment involves the injection of a Candida antigen (or MMR - mumps, measles, and rubella vaccine) to stimulate your immune response to the wart’s virus.
Prescription Medications
Certain oral medications – designed for viral use may be used successfully for plantar warts or warts that have failed previous treatment attempts. These medications are generally prescribed in resistant or severe cases.
- Bleomycin
This medication, which is only used for difficult-to-treat warts, is injected into the wart, causing an intense immune response that is used to kill the wart.
It is noted that some treatments have side effects, while others may require more than one visit for stubborn or resistant warts.
Contact a leading Buffalo, NY Dermatologist for Prescription Wart Treatments
Remember that prescription wart treatments should only be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare dermatologist. Contact Dr. Dee at Buffalo, NY’s Dermatologic Center for Excellence in Clarence, NY at (716) 759-7759 or online for more information.