Warts are a common skin condition caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Warts commonly appear on the body's extremities such as hands and feet, however it's possible to be infected in other parts of your body. Doctors can freeze, burn or surgically remove the wart depending upon type and location. Your doctor may send you home with instructions on care for your wound, which should heal within a few weeks. Keep the area clean and free from dirt or bacterial agents which could cause an infection.
The First 24 Hours
The area will be tender, sore and covered with a sterile bandage. Keep the bandage in place for at least the first day to protect it from germs, dirt and other offenders that could infect this open wound.
Bleeding is a possibility if you had your wart surgically removed. If bleeding occurs, apply light pressure to the a clean tissue or cotton cloth for 10 minutes to allow the blood to coagulate. Take acetaminophen if you experience pain or minor swelling.
The First Few Days
Continue bandaging the wound for the first few days. Wash the area with unscented soap and water and re-bandage using fresh gauze and tape. If your bandage gets wet, change the bandage immediately so you don't trap unwanted moisture around your wound which could cause infection.
Use an antibacterial cream on warts that were burned off. However, if your wart was frozen, do not use anything on it other than soap and water.
The area may itch as it heals but avoid scratching so you don't infect the wound. Lightly slap the area to relieve the itch or discomfort.
Two Weeks of Healing
Your wound will change and heal over a two-week period. If the wart was burned off, will form a small scab and will fall off.
A blister forms on warts that were burned off. Avoid picking or popping the blister as it will break open on its own, leaving a small scab which takes the remainder of the wart with it.
You will still have a small tender area once the blister breaks or scab falls off so continue using antibacterial cream on the area. Cover with a Band-Aid or sterile bandage until the area is completely healed.
Call the doctor if you experience discharge, redness, swelling or fever while your wart is healing. Any of these symptoms could be a sign of infection.
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