Wound after wart removal

Warts or other skin growths can be removed in different ways - for example, by destroying them using electrocoagulation or cryodestruction, or by "peeling them off" using a laser. The latter method is considered the safest and most effective: the laser beam acts as both a surgical instrument and an antiseptic, so the wound heals faster after the wart is removed.

But can it happen that healing will occur 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 a wart is removed?

Modern methods of wart removal are considered minimally invasive - that is, they practically do not cause damage to healthy skin. However, both when removing a wart with a laser and with cryodestruction, a small wound always remains, which 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 or damaged!). This crust serves as a kind of protection, preventing infection from entering the wound and promoting adequate growth of new tissue in place 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 rejected, the renewed pinkish skin is exposed. The area of the wart removal still cannot be touched, scratched, soaked, or even exposed to sunlight.
3. The third stage is the formation of full-fledged healthy skin. Complete healing of the wound after wart removal is detected after about 3-4 weeks. After this time, the skin acquires a natural color, the removal site is smoothed out.

Approximately three months after the wart is removed, a virtually unnoticeable round mark is observed in the wound area. There should be no scars or darkened areas. In such a case, we can talk about high-quality wound healing. [ 1 ]

Why doesn't the wound heal after removing a wart?

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

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

Any of the above factors can cause a slowdown in wound healing. Moreover, complications may develop:

• redness, swelling of the wound, the appearance of suppuration and pain;
• formation of a rough scar, cicatricial mark or unsightly trace after removal of a wart;
• increased temperature, general weakness and malaise;
• formation of a hyperpigmented area of skin.

The wound became infected after the wart was removed: what to do?

After removing the wart, it is important to ensure proper care of the injured area, as there is a risk of infectious complications, which manifests itself in suppuration, tissue swelling, and pain. If suppuration is detected, 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 tonics (for example, with vitamin therapy). [ 2 ]

For the wound to heal quickly, constant ventilation is necessary, so it is strictly forbidden to seal it, lubricate it with irritating ointments or creams, as well as tear off the formed crust (scab).

If suppuration is already present, the crust will still have to be removed. But this should only be done by a doctor, after preliminary soaking in a solution of furacilin or hydrogen peroxide. After softening the scab, it is carefully lifted with tweezers by the peeling edge and removed - gradually, without unnecessary effort, cutting with a sterile instrument if necessary. After the procedure, the doctor will explain further subtleties of treating 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 also possible - at the discretion of the attending physician. [ 3 ]

How to treat a wound after removing a wart?

Many medicinal solutions have disinfectant properties - for example, this can be a solution of brilliant green ("brilliant green"), iodine or potassium permanganate. After the scab has come off, the doctor may recommend lubricating the wound after removing the wart with 1% hydrocortisone ointment: it is applied twice a day to the healing skin surface. However, this prescription is not given to everyone and only in exceptional cases.

During tissue restoration, it is recommended to increase the regenerative capacity of the skin and improve local immunity. Vitamins A and E are perfect for these purposes. The beneficial substances that enter the body maximally contribute to the fastest tissue regeneration.

Complications can be avoided if you strictly follow all doctor's orders and carefully care for the wound after removing the wart. [ 4 ]

How to care for a wound after wart removal with laser and nitrogen?

The specifics of wound care after laser wart removal can be described in the form of the following recommendations:

• The removal site should be protected from sunlight, so sunbathing and visiting a solarium is not recommended for 1-2 months after the procedure.
• Any additional trauma or damage in the area of the wart removal procedure should be avoided. Any bruises, hematomas, abrasions always have a negative effect on the healing process.
• After removing a wart on the face, it is important not to cover the damaged area with makeup (foundation, powder, etc.). It is best to leave the damaged area alone until it has completely healed.
• Damaged tissues should not be wetted for 14-20 days after wart removal. Moisture will prevent crust formation, creating favorable conditions for maceration - tissue loosening and swelling, which, in turn, can cause suppuration. It is best to start washing the wart area after complete tissue regeneration.
• Avoid overcooling or overheating the skin in the wart removal area for at least 2-3 weeks. Strong temperature changes can result in slower wound healing, hyperpigmentation, or a rough scar from the procedure.
• If the doctor has prescribed treatment of the wart removal site with any medications, then this treatment must be carried out without fail to prevent the development of complications.

Another common method of removing warts is cryodestruction, or removal using nitrogen. [ 5 ] After this procedure, it is recommended to follow the following rules for wound care:

• After some time of exposure to liquid nitrogen, a blister forms in the wart area and swelling is detected. Such a blister should not be opened, even if blood, not ichor, is visible inside. If the blister is opened, the natural process of wound healing will be disrupted.
• It is permissible to apply a special pharmacy aseptic dressing to the wound after removing the wart, as well as to treat it 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 skin. This can happen in about a week.

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