What is mole?
A common mole is a colored spot on the skin that develops when pigment cells (melanocytes) grow in clusters. The medical term for moles is melanocytic naevi and most adults usually have between 10 and 40 on their body. Although common moles may be present at birth, they usually appear later in childhood and increase during teenage years. During pregnancy moles often get darker and they can fade away completely from around the age of 50.
What are warts?
Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus causes the infected area of skin to produce excess keratin, resulting in a rough textured bump. They are commonly found on the hands and feet, but can appear anywhere.
What do warts look like?
When the skin’s surface is infected with HPV, the virus causes rough, lumpy growths to appear. Warts are not usually painful, unless they are in an area of skin which catches on clothing or jewelry.
- Firm to the touch and raised
- Roundish in shape
- Of varied size (between 1mm and 1cm)
- Have a rough, lumpy texture, often likened to cauliflower
- Can appear on their own, as several dotted over the skin, or clustered closely together
Types of warts
There are four main types of warts.
- Plantar warts
- Flat warts
- Filiform warts
- Periungual warts
Are Warts Contagious?
Yes, warts are contagious and can easily be spread through contact to other areas of your face or body, as well as to others. After you have been infected, it can take weeks or months for a wart to actually appear on your skin.
How Do You Catch Warts?
Warts are easily contracted through direct contact from a wart to healthy skin. It is also possible to develop a wart through contact with objects that have been touched by someone with a wart, for example towels, shoes and socks, or swimming pool floors. As warts are contagious, the best prevention is to treat them as soon as possible to avoid them spreading to other areas of your body, or to other people.
Treatments for warts
Warts will eventually go away by themselves, but for some people, this can take months, or even years. As they are contagious, it’s not always appropriate to let the problem go away by itself.
Laser removal : A specialized laser heats up the blood vessels feeding the wart, which collapse in on themselves and stop the blood supply. This starves the wart of nutrients so it naturally falls off after a few weeks.
Excision : The wart is carefully cut out using a surgical scalpel. This procedure can be done under local anesthetic and will require a small stitch in the skin. The wart is removed immediately with this treatment.
Cryotherapy : Cryotherapy involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze off the wart. The cold temperature kills the cells within the wart, as well as constricting its blood supply. This causes the wart to die and naturally fall off.
Duct tape : Cover the wart with duct tape (cut a piece about the same size as the wart) and leave it on for six days. Then remove the tape and soak the wart in water, then gently exfoliate the wart with an emery board. Leave the tape off overnight and repeat the process until the wart is gone.
Duct tape : Cover the wart with duct tape (cut a piece about the same size as the wart) and leave it on for six days. Then remove the tape and soak the wart in water, then gently exfoliate the wart with an emery board. Leave the tape off overnight and repeat the process until the wart is gone.
Mole removal methods
Laser Removal – If your mole is small, you can have it removed with laser treatment. Laser Mole Removal uses light energy to break down the pigment within the mole. Laser mole removal is a good option for removing a mole from the face as there is less risk of scarring.
Shave Removal – Moles that protrude from the skin can be ‘shaved’ off under local anesthetic (which numbs the area being treated). This is usually done using a scalpel, and is relatively straightforward and painless. You may be left with a pink mark on your skin where the mole was, but this should fade over time.
Excision Removal – Some moles may need to be cut away via an excision. This procedure is performed under local anesthetic and requires a small stitch in the skin afterwards. A small scar will be left, which will fade over time.
Moles & Wart Treatments – Frequently Asked Questions
There is a very small chance that your mole might reoccur after having it removed, as a few mole cells may remain in the skin. If this is the case, we will book you in for another treatment. Usually, however, you will find that one treatment session is enough.
You can have a mole removed from anywhere on your body, including your face. Our doctors have years of experience removing moles from the face and sensitive and hard to reach places.
After your mole has been removed the skin left behind may feel tender for a few days and will need to be covered. It’s also best to use a strong sunscreen on the area for six months, as it will be more sensitive to sunlight.
Laser Removal is described as feeling like the flick of an elastic band. For Shave Removal and Excision Removal, the area will be numbed with a local anesthetic so you won’t feel anything.
At Delight Clinic you will be in the safest of hands, whichever removal method is selected by you and your doctor. During your initial consultation, your practitioner will explain any possible side effects and how to avoid them.
Of course, unless your doctor feels there is a medical reason not to remove your mole.