Warts are common, benign skin growths caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters the skin, often through small cuts, leading to an overgrowth of cells that forms the wart. Warts can sometimes resolve on their own as the body’s immune system fights off the virus, or they can be treated. Understanding the signs that a wart is resolving can provide reassurance during this process.
Clear Signs Your Wart is Dying
Observing specific changes in a wart’s appearance and sensation can indicate it is dying. These signs suggest the body’s immune response or a treatment is effectively targeting the viral infection, helping monitor its progression toward resolution.
A dying wart may change color, turning black, brown, or dark red as its blood supply is cut off, leading to dried blood or tissue. Alternatively, it might become lighter or whiter, especially after treatments like liquid nitrogen or salicylic acid, which dry out the tissue.
Small black dots, sometimes called “wart seeds,” are another common sign. These are clotted blood vessels within the wart, signaling it is losing its blood supply and beginning to die.
A dying wart will also show changes in size and texture. It may gradually shrink, becoming less raised and more flattened against the skin. The surface can become rougher or drier, and the wart might begin to peel as dead cells shed.
Discomfort or pain associated with the wart may also lessen or disappear. For example, plantar warts can be painful due to walking pressure, but this pain usually subsides as the wart dies and shrinks.
The Full Healing Journey
After a wart shows signs of dying, it begins a process of complete resolution, restoring healthy skin. This involves stages where the body sheds dead wart tissue and regenerates new skin. The timeline for full healing varies, often taking weeks to several months, depending on the wart’s size, location, and any treatment used.
Following the initial signs of dying, the wart may form a scab or dry out and peel away in layers. This shedding of dead tissue is a natural part of the body’s response to clear the affected area. It is important to allow this process to occur naturally and avoid picking at the scab or peeling skin, as this can delay healing or potentially spread the virus.
Eventually, the dead wart tissue will detach and fall off the skin entirely. This final separation leaves behind new, healthy skin underneath. Initially, this regenerated skin might appear slightly discolored, perhaps a bit red or sensitive, but it will gradually blend with the surrounding skin over time.
The full recovery period can range from a few weeks for smaller warts, especially after treatments like cryotherapy which might cause the wart to fall off within 7 to 14 days, to several months for larger or more stubborn warts. For instance, over-the-counter salicylic acid treatments typically require consistent daily application for 4 to 12 weeks to show full results. Even without treatment, some warts can resolve on their own within one to two years, particularly in individuals with healthy immune systems.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While many warts resolve on their own or with home treatments, certain situations warrant professional medical consultation. Seeking medical attention ensures proper diagnosis and appropriate care, preventing potential complications or addressing persistent issues.
Consult a doctor if the wart shows no signs of improvement or healing after a reasonable period of self-treatment, typically a few weeks to months. If the wart becomes painful, bleeds excessively, or shows signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pus, medical evaluation is necessary. These symptoms can indicate a secondary bacterial infection or other complications.
It is also advisable to seek professional medical advice if there is uncertainty about whether a growth is actually a wart, or if its appearance changes rapidly. Growths on sensitive areas like the face, genitals, or areas that interfere with daily activities, such as plantar warts causing pain when walking, often require professional care. Individuals with a compromised immune system should always consult a doctor for wart treatment, as their bodies may struggle to fight off the virus effectively.