Wart Removal - Buffalo Grove,IL

Updated on October 04, 2010
N.S. asks from Buffalo Grove, IL
22 answers

We told our 9-year old that she was going to the doctors next week to have some warts removed and she's been freaking out ever since! She can't sleep at night because she's so worried about it, she' complaining about stomachaches and every day she asks us if it's going to hurt and then she freaks out. It's all she can think about.

We finally canceled the appointment because she was working herself up so much.

We've tried compound W and the wart freezing stuff (which the doctor recommended last time we were there). We've tried apple cider vinegar and nail polish. The warts keep coming back and they've spread. She had one and now she has four. Part of the problem is once we freeze them or put the Compound W on them she picks at them. She picked the last one off and not only did it come back but it spread.

We got the agreement from her to leave the warts ALONE and we will try the wart freezing stuff one more time. She is not to pick at them or touch them and she needs to keep the band aids on. If not, she WILL go to the doctors and have them removed.

My questions are: does anyone know of a better way to get rid of warts?'

And my second question is, next time should we not tell her about the Dr. appointment until the morning of? We thought that it was kind of mean to just spring it on her without warning, which is why we told her, but if we do tell she might worry herself to death again. Is that mean to just take her without much warning?

Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thanks mamas for the advice on the duct tape! We are definitely going to try it! I even have some hot pink duct tape and my daughter thinks it's going to be cool to have pink tape on her fingers. I hope that works! Thanks again!

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A.I.

answers from Tucson on

I KNOW IT SOUNDS WEIRD..BUT PUT DUCT TAPE OVER THE WARTS..LEAVE IT ON AND IF IT COMES OFF PUT MORE BACK ON, THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE ADHESIVE AND IT SUFFOCATES THE FUNGUS IN THE WARTS..WE HAVE DONE THIS WITH MY DAUGHTER AND NO MORE WARTS!

DUCT TAPE FOR WART REMOVAL

A study by Dr. Dean Focht, reported in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, found duct tape to be more effective than treatment with cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen used to freeze warts).

Dr. Anthony J. Mancini, pediatric dermatologist at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago uses duct-tape therapy for warts. In an interview with the American Academy of Dermatology consumer magazine, "Dermatology Insights," duct tape treatment was discussed by Dr. Mancini

WHY DUCT TAPE

Two theories were proposed as to why duct tape works:

1. Debrides (removes dead skin) from the wart, thereby gradually eliminating the wart virus that resides in the skin.

2. Occluding the wart with duct tape somehow gets the patient's immune system activated to attack the wart virus.

DUCT TAPE TREATMENT PROCESS

There are various ways to use duct tape on warts:

1. Patients apply the duct tape to the wart, keep it in place for six or so days, then remove it, soak the wart, and pare it down with a filing (emery) board.

2. Apply over-the-counter salicylic acid wart remover liquid to the wart before bedtime. After letting it air dry for a minute or so, apply the duct tape over the wart, completely covering the area. Remove the duct tape the following morning. Each time they remove the tape, they are debriding some of the wart tissue. Repeat the application each night, until there is no remaining wart tissue.

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V.B.

answers from Houston on

I would try duct tape instead of a bandaid. I've been using it on my feet and the one on my heel (which was pretty deep) is almost gone now. I have another one by my toes that is in an odd spot and I am having a hard time keeping the tape on it, so it's not gone yet, but it does work, so give it a shot!

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

I've heard people swear by taping a piece of banana peel over the warts for at least 8 hours a day (or overnight) for a couple of weeks. Here's one link, google for others: http://www.ehow.com/how_###-###-####_treat-warts-banana-p...

I've also heard you can stick duct tape over them (cut to size). Takes some time, but is reputed to work.

Yes, don't give her too much notice if you make an appointment in the future. It does seem a little less than respectful, but apparently better than telling her early.

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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

It has been a long time since I have dealt with a wart, but are you suppose to put a band aid on them? I know it helps prevent picking, but I thought it needed to dry out...just thinking back. Of course if it falls off and bleeds, I would cover it to prevent dirt & infection.

I went through the anxiety attacks many of times with my older daughter. She used to have nasal surgery due to nasal polyps. She hated needles and would say she had to use the rest room and lock herself in when it came time to get her IV.

Of course I go through it with the little one too, when it is time for her shots. Thankfully we don't get anymore than a flu shot at this point. I don't mention anything about the shots, ever. Then when she starts cluing in to it, I just talk her right through it. It doesn't always work, but it helps.

Since she freaks out, I wouldn't tell her a whole week ahead of time. You have already given in to her once and it will be harder the next time, should it become necessary.

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T.T.

answers from Chicago on

just make sure a piece of duct tape stays on the wart until it falls off ( pretty sure it will take less than a week) as the piece falls off apply another piece to the area.

and BTW this for sure works. I have and other i know have used this method many times

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M.A.

answers from Chicago on

You could be writing about my daughter. She also gets major anxiety over doctor's or dentist appointments, and she has issues with warts. Go to a dermatologist. Don't tell her until that day or on the way. (My daughter actually was mad at me for telling her ON THE WAY to get her flu shot; like she wouldn't have figured it out by then!) We tried to have hers frozen off, which took a lot of effort on our part, and it worked on some, not on others. The dermatologist saw how anxious she was, and recommended taking tagamet for 3 months, 3 times a day. I guess it kicks in the immune system, and the body gets rid of the warts. My son and I got "the shot" which took care of his the first time, but I had to go back (mine had been there for a while) My dermatologist also gave me a "wart stick" which is medicine in more of a chapstick form. Works much better, and no pain.
Good luck! I've been there... (My daughter's warts are now gone....)

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A.F.

answers from Chicago on

My only comment is I would never tell a young child about any type of medical or dental procedure in advance of the event. It's just setting them up for fear/anxiety. I would maybe talk about having an appointment, just in very general terms, a couple days before but leave it at that. Then the day of, remind them that they have an appointment, and just explain things when they go there...It may sound not fair, but it seems to work best. That's what we've done with my son and he has gotten through things much easier. We just don't make a big deal out of anything. (He's had to have several tests, and a small procedure since coming being adopted from S. Korea).

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K.G.

answers from Chicago on

I had about 20 on my feet in high school, I had them froze off. But one thing my doctor said to do was soak them in hot salt water, then scrape them. They are super soft then and it's like the skin from a blister and does not hurt at all. It help to get rid of them faster. Just add a handful of salt to hot tap water, soak for 10 minutes. Good luck with getting rid of them.

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A.R.

answers from Chicago on

Duck tape. You can also put a piece of duck tape on a splinter to remove it (of course, remove the tape for that- the splinter sticks to the tape when you pull it.)

Leave the tape on the wart until it falls off.

Warts are a virus that are actually brought on by stress. I would do some things to up her immune system and maybe think about counseling or yoga-- something to help her find coping mechanisms so her body won't react so intensely to stress.

M.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Having had warts myself, reassure her that the removal of them is far less uncomfortable than the actual having of them. At least in my case.I had warts that came back, too and once I finally got them completely removed, life was wonderful.
You are probably right, you need not let her know ahead if she gets so anxious.

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D.D.

answers from Chicago on

One size does not fit all of every child so, I would tell her the day of the appointment. She doesn't need to cause herself any more anxiety. The anticipation is always worse than the procedure!

I don't know anything about warts personally but a friend has had them and yes they have come back but no, she doesn't pick at them.

I just noticed a previous post citing Dr Mancini at Childrens Memorial...I LOVE THAT MAN! He has been dealing with my daughters Hemangioma. He is a genius...listen to him PLEASE!

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S.H.

answers from Chicago on

Try a 2-3 week usage of Pure Grade Tea Tree Oil. She will definitely see the difference. Continue the regiment until gone.

You can get it from Melaleuca at www.Melaleuca.com.

I have used this 3 times and it always works. Since warts are a virus, this will easily take care of the them without trama to your daughter.

They will ask who referred you, my name is S. Harrington in Grayslake.

Best of luck to you and your daughter.

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M.A.

answers from Chicago on

Thuja. Get it at health stores or places like Whole Foods. It's homeopathic. I take 3-5 times the recommended dose. In about 2-3 weeks, your body pushes the wart (and other warts you were starting but weren't aware of) out of the skin. I've had warts frozen and that never really works. They just grow back. I've found the thuja works every time, but you have to take way more than they recommend, and you have to give it about 2-3 weeks before you start to notice a change, then keep taking it until the wart has completely pushed out. It will look bigger at first when it starts to get pushed out since you don't see the parts under the skin. And it doesn't hurt.

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R.B.

answers from Chicago on

I got one on my foot a couple years ago thanks to having to take my shoes off to go through airport security. I used the store-bought wart remover with the little patches of acid that go directly on the wart (i didn't trim to size, I just put the whole thing on there to get as much of the acid into the wart area as possible). It took almost 2 months of daily use to finally get the thing to come out and stay out and I haven't had an issue since.

That's the annoying thing about wart removal...it does take a long time to fully get rid of the virus!

My sister has had a LOT of success using duct tape on hers. She puts a large patch on the area (like 2" square, at least) and then a patch on top and another patch on top until she's got a good size, solidly attached patch of duct tape over the area. In the beginning, she'll sometimes even wrap a strip of tape all the way around her foot to make sure it didn't come off. As long as the edges of the tape are securely affixed, it can last through showers. But again, it can take a month or two to fully get rid of the wart. But it worked for her.

I do also make it a point to not tell my kids until the day-of a Dr. appt (if not on the way to the appointment). It saves many headaches for me and much stress for them.

Good luck!

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C.B.

answers from Chicago on

Duct tape is the way to go!!!! My 9 yr old son had a planters wart on his foot, we put on the duct tape, made sure the wart was completely covered, (you are actually smothering the wart) and 3 weeks later it all came off on the tape. It left a deep hole in his foot but the skin underneath was already healed. He had no pain and being a boy he thought it was cool to have a hole in his foot. We only changed the tape if it would not sick to cover the edges of the wart.
Good Luck!!! If you decide to go to the Dr. just tell her the morning of. No need to add stress to everyone. I don't like to surprise my children with the news either, but my 4th child doesn't deal as well with things as all the others do.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I suggest having the doctor take them off is the best way to remove them. Why did she freak out? Does she know how the doctor will remove them and that the process is simple and quick. I don't understand why she's so fearful, unless someone has told her how "awful" it is. Can you find a way to reassure her that this isn't such a bad thing to do? Perhaps have a child who has had their warts frozen talk with her.

I've had numerous warts frozen off as a child as well as using the Compound W stuff. I'd far rather have them frozen.

There is also a professional strength liquid that the doctor can apply. My adult daughter had plantar's warts removed with a liquid. It works much faster than Compound W. She kept them bandaged.

When my daughter was frightened by doing something or going somewhere her counselor recommended not telling her ahead of time. This worked much better and did not create hard feelings.

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L.L.

answers from Chicago on

Amazing moms here! My daughter also had 14 of them on her fingers and feet. We went thru the painful and expensive dermatologist treatments, which didn't work. After much research surprisingly the banana peel, from the inside skin, covering with a bandage finally worked, but took abut 6-8 weeks. Stock up when bandaids are on sale.
I've heard alot about the duct tape afterwards being very successful, but make sure that you soak the foot first, and again this has to be on all the time.
Its comforting to know that there are natural ways (not painful) to help the body heal.

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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

I went to see my dermotologist I didn't want them froze off becasue of the pain yikes but I did 3 big ones she didn't attack them like she normally would of but they did sting a little it did help to get the size down she also prescribed salicyic acid which I never filled becasue of the cost aftr my bill was received it was $200.00 visit & $200.00 just for 3 sprays of the freezing wart removal so I just bought generic wart removal from Target their brand used that on all my warts on my hands & fingers covered them with bandaids & thye were gone in 2-3 weeks.You mentioned that she picks at them the Dr said that is the worst thing you can do they spread so fast that way & to other areas of the body or to others now that said she said the best way to prevent that from happening is to get them treated along with band aids till they have diasappeared that is hard to do I have gone through alot of bands aids they get wet I have to replace them but I also used the wart remover at nite & has helped so much I have some new ones that I have been treating.Keep in mind that warts is a virus that lives in our bodies once contracted it stays with us we can only treat the warts so for their not visible but we still have the virus there is no cure.
I did in the past use lemon from a fresh lemon cut it small enough to fit on the wart & cover it my wart on thumb was gone in weeks it is non chemical doesn't burn but has to be done daily

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M.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Freezing them off hurts. I have yet to find a doctor who has any real sympathy for the children. When I was a kid, I had several frozen off, and they numbed the area of something before they did it, because I don't remember it hurting at all.

However, this past summer my daughter, who is 10, has a few on her nose. She had to have them frozen off before school started. It hurt for about 15 minutes afterwards. She was crying and screaming, but she is a drama queen with anything painful. I think it took two weeks for things to get back to normal.

I would make the appointment, don't tell her, then tell her as you are going there; and get through the drama. It will be bad, but in the long run everyone will be better off. Try to avoid taking your other kids along. I made that mistake and my son, who is five, was really upset with me and the doctor for hurting his sister. That was a whole other added drama.

Good Luck!

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J.U.

answers from Chicago on

Another option I don't see listed in your responses yet is Aldara. It's a cream prescribed by the dermatologist, and quite expensive, but our insurance covered a large part of the cost. My daughter had one that we'd used several other treatments on, and she was afraid of the "freezing" option. It took one refill after the initial prescription, but it's pain-free, and it worked very well for her. One cost-saving tip: The cream comes in little packets, which you can fold the edge over so the rest can be used for the next application. I think we did 3 days/week for a total of 12 weeks.

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D.H.

answers from Chicago on

We had success with a wart cream made by Quantum. They only sell it at some health food stores.

My older daughter had too many to count on her hands and the dermatologist lasered them off. All we had to pay was the insurance co-pay. There was no pain. They all turned black and then healed. No more warts since then (4 years ago)

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L.S.

answers from Chicago on

I wanted to second all those who have said to use duct tape. My doctor at Loyola told me to do the same thing when I went to him for a corn on the underside of my foot. I was expecting him to prescribe something medical - perhaps even surgical - or to refer me to one of Loyola's dermatologists, so I was taken aback when he told me to put Compound W on it and then to put duct tape over the Compound W and to repeat this whenever the duct tape comes off and to keep doing so until the corn is gone. He also said that warts and corns are treated the same way since they are from the same virus. I didn't use the duct tape since the corn went away on its own, but I just wanted to mention that apparently this is a method that other doctors recommend, not just Dr. Mancini at Children's Memorial, although his recommendation alone should be pretty compelling.

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