What are Hanging Warts?
Hanging warts are those that hang from the skin. These warts tend to be located on the neck, armpit (also known as the axilla) and any other location where the skin tends to be looser and less taut. Many hanging warts are called verruca plana, otherwise known as a flat wart. These tend to be reddish or flesh colored and are slightly raised with a flat surface. Other types of hanging wart are from the verruca vulgaris family, which is also known as the common wart. Hanging warts can be harder to remove because the affected area is often less firm.
Surgical Options
Many hanging warts can be removed by surgical means which will be done by a licensed dermatologist. One option is called cryosurgery. With cryosurgery, the area around the wart is frozen, often using a substance such as liquid nitrogen. This creates a blister around the wart and, after a period of time, the wart and the dead skin which surrounds it will fall off. Another option is laser treatment, in which either a pulse-dye laser or a carbon dioxide laser is used to selectively burn off the wart tissue. Finally, simple surgical removal of a hanging wart is also an option.
Non-surgical Options
Some hanging warts can be treated with a special mixture that includes a special resin paint, aloe and alcohol to remove the wart. Other treatments include killing off the surface skin cells using such chemicals as salicylic acid or other blistering agents. This approach is best paired with mechanical cutting of the wart using a blade or pumice stone. There are other treatments that work to kill off the wart by stimulating the immune system. Imiquimod, for example, stimulates interferon production, which is a hormone within the body that will cause the tissue to attack and kill off the wart. All warts and other dermatological concerns should be examined by a trained dermatologist to make sure that the wart is not the sign of something more serious like skin cancer.
Tags: also known, around wart, hanging wart, Hanging Warts, hanging warts, Hanging warts