Options For Treating Periungual Warts

Pulsed Dye Laser Therapy

Pulsed dye laser therapy is another effective way to kill this type of wart. This type of therapy, however, is not a doctor's first choice for treatment. Doctors will probably want to wait until other methods fail before they go this route. It can be painful, can take several sessions, and might fail. Pulsed dye laser therapy uses lasers with an organic dye to kill the tissue in the periungual wart so it falls off.

However, many studies show it might be more effective to use an aminolevulinic acid rather than the organic acid used in this treatment. The organic acid may not be strong enough to elicit a response from warts, which means it might not die using this therapy. The doctor will look at the patient's periungual warts, examine their depth, and make a decision as to which type of dye is better for each case.

Application Of Salicylic Acid

The application of salicylic acid is helpful to remove periungual warts, and it is often the first type of treatment individuals try to use. Salicylic acid is available without a prescription in various degrees of strength, which means patients can do it at home. This is a preferable treatment method for some, though there is a chance it won't work. It is recommended to try this type of treatment first by purchasing an over-the-counter product and applying it. It is best done in a specific manner, though.

Patients need to start by soaking their feet in warm to hot water. They can do this in a bucket or a foot bath, or they can take a full bath. Once their feet are nice and wrinkled, patients want to use a pumice stone to remove the outer few layers of their skin. Before going to bed, patients should apply the acid and put a pair of socks or gloves on to keep it from getting all over them. This should help, but it might take more than one night to get the desired result.