Wound after wart removal

Warts or other skin growths can be removed in various ways - for example, they can be destroyed by electrocoagulation or cryodestruction, or “exfoliated” with a laser. The latter method is considered the safest and most effective: the laser beam plays the role of both a surgical instrument and an antiseptic, so the wound heals faster after removing the wart.

But can it happen that healing occurs with problems? And after what period of time should the wound heal after removal? How to protect yourself from possible unpleasant consequences?

How long does it take for a wound to heal after wart removal?

Modern methods of removing warts are considered minimally invasive - that is, they practically do not cause damage to healthy skin. However, both with laser wart removal and cryodestruction, there is always a small wound that heals in several stages.

1. The first stage lasts about a week and is characterized by the formation of a dark crust on the wound (it must not be touched and damaged!). Such a crust serves as a kind of protection, preventing infection from entering the wound and promoting adequate growth of new tissue at the site of the former wart.
2. The second stage can be observed from about the second week of healing, and it lasts about 4-7 days: the crust is torn off, renewed pinkish skin is exposed. The wart removal area should still not be touched, combed, soaked, or even exposed to sunlight.
3. The third stage is the formation of full-fledged healthy skin. Complete healing of the wound after removal of the wart is detected after about 3-4 weeks. After this time, the skin acquires a natural color, the place of removal is smoothed out.

Approximately three months later, an almost imperceptible rounded mark is observed in the wound area after the removal of the wart. There should be no scars, areas of darkening. In such a case, we can talk about high-quality wound healing. [1]

Why does the wound not heal after removing the wart?

Usually, the wound after removing the wart with a laser or nitrogen is tightened in a few weeks. As we have already said, this healing process has a certain sequence, and tissues are restored in stages. Visible healing can be observed already after the discharge of the scab - a dry superficial crust.

It is possible that if the laser beam or nitrogen penetrates too long or too deeply, the wound will heal more slowly after removal. Violation of the rules of post-procedural care for the area of tissue damage also prevents a quick cure. The individual characteristics of the organism also play a significant role - for example, a person may have weakened immune defenses, there may be foci of chronic infection, etc.

Any of these factors can provoke a delay in wound healing. Moreover, complications may develop:

• redness, swelling of the wound, the appearance of suppuration and pain;
• the formation of a rough scar, scar or unaesthetic mark after the removal of the wart;
• fever, general weakness and malaise;
• the formation of hyperpigmented skin.

The wound festered after the removal of the wart: what to do?

After removing the wart, it is important to ensure proper care of the injured area, as there is a danger of an infectious complication, which is manifested by suppuration, tissue swelling, and pain. If suppuration is found, then the best solution would be to contact the doctor who performed the removal. In most situations, the doctor will simply prescribe the use of certain external antiseptics, in combination with general strengthening agents (for example, vitamin therapy). [2]

For the speedy healing of the wound, constant ventilation is necessary, therefore, it is absolutely impossible to seal it, lubricate it with irritating ointments or creams, as well as rip off the formed crust (scab).

If suppuration is already present, then the crust will still have to be removed. But only a doctor should do this, after preliminary soaking in a solution of furacilin or hydrogen peroxide. After softening the scab, it is gently lifted with tweezers by the exfoliated edge and removed - gradually, without undue effort, if necessary, cutting off with a sterile instrument. After the procedure, the doctor will explain further details of the treatment of the wound from the removal of the wart: now it will have to be lubricated with Levomekol for five days, and then with Fukortsin coloring liquid. Other appointments are possible - at the discretion of the attending doctor. [3]

How to treat the wound after removing the wart?

Many medicinal solutions differ in disinfecting properties - for example, it can be a solution of brilliant green (“brilliant green”), iodine or potassium permanganate. After the scab has passed, the doctor may recommend lubricating the wound after removing the wart with 1% hydrocortisone ointment: it is applied twice a day to the tightening skin surface. However, such an appointment is not carried out by everyone and only in exceptional cases.

During tissue repair, it is recommended to increase the regenerative capacity of the skin, improve local immunity. Vitamins A and E are perfect for these purposes. Useful substances that enter the body contribute to the fastest tissue regeneration as much as possible.

You can avoid complications if you strictly follow all medical prescriptions, carefully care for the wound after removing the wart. [4]

How to care for the wound after removing the wart with laser and nitrogen?

Features of wound care after laser wart removal can be described as the following recommendations:

• The removal site must be protected from sunlight, so sunbathing and visiting a solarium for 1-2 months after the procedure is not recommended.
• Any additional trauma and damage in the area of the wart removal procedure should be avoided. Any bruises, bruises, abrasions always negatively affect the healing process.
• After removing a wart in the facial area, it is important not to cover the damaged area with make-up products (foundation, powder, etc.). It is best to leave the damaged area alone until it heals completely.
• It is undesirable to wet damaged tissues within 14-20 days after removal of the wart. Moisture will prevent the formation of a crust, creating favorable conditions for maceration - loosening and swelling of tissues, which, in turn, can cause suppuration. It is optimal to start washing the wart area after complete tissue regeneration.
• It is impossible to supercool and overheat the skin in the wart removal area - at least for 2-3 weeks. The result of strong temperature changes can be a slowdown in wound healing, the formation of hyperpigmentation or a rough trace from the procedure.
• If the doctor has prescribed the treatment of the site of removal of the wart with any preparations, then this treatment must be carried out without fail in order to prevent the development of complications.

Another common way to remove warts is cryodestruction, or removal with nitrogen. [5]After this procedure, it is recommended to adhere to the following wound care rules:

• Some time after exposure to liquid nitrogen, a bubble forms in the wart area and swelling is detected. Such a bubble should not be opened, even if not an ichor is visible inside, but blood. If the bubble is opened, then the natural process of wound healing will be disrupted.
• It is allowed to apply a special pharmaceutical aseptic dressing to the wound after removal of the wart, as well as treatment with tampons with 2% salicylic alcohol or a solution of potassium permanganate. The treatment is repeated systematically until peeling appears on the damaged area of the skin. This can happen in about a week.

No other additional care measures are required. It is important to follow the rules of hygiene, do not damage or wet the affected area: the wound after removing the wart should heal on its own.