Advantages and disadvantages of laser removal of plantar warts

Plantar warts or thorns are a fairly common problem.

After the doctor makes this diagnosis, the patient thinks about how to get rid of the neoplasm as soon as possible. The best option today is the removal of the plantar wart with a laser.

What is the advantage of the technique?

Plantar warts should be removed in the following cases:

• the neoplasm causes severe pain;
• due to the presence of a wart, movement is limited;
• growth rapidly increases in size;
• child warts appear nearby.

The advantage of laser wart removal on the heel lies in the reliability, safety and aesthetic traceability of this method. The principle of laser removal is the evaporation of liquid from the neoplasm, and it can be performed by different types of laser.

Advantages of this method

Laser destruction has the following advantages:

• no risk of bleeding;
• after the procedure, there are no scars and scars;
• healthy tissues are not affected;
• non-contact method of removal – the instruments do not touch the foot;
• low risk of recurrence and infection;
• painlessness;
• efficiency – you can completely get rid of the wart in one procedure;
• treatment takes only a few minutes;
• the specialist clearly controls the depth of penetration of the laser beam.

Possible disadvantages

As for the disadvantages of this treatment, we can note its high cost. The price of the procedure depends on the type of equipment that is used, as well as the size and depth of the neoplasm. laser removal  has a large list of contraindications.

Another disadvantage of laser removal is that for several days after the removal of the build-up, the foot cannot be wet, and this makes it difficult to carry out hygiene procedures.

Indications for carrying out

Warts that appear on the human body differ not only in location, but also in appearance. Laser therapy is indicated for the removal of:

• common warts;
• flat warts ;
• plantar warts.

Contraindications for the use of the technique

Laser therapy is forbidden to be carried out in the last trimester of pregnancy, in addition, many experts generally do not recommend carrying out such procedures during the bearing of a baby, since there is a risk of a negative effect of optical radiation on the child’s body.

In some cases, this simple procedure leads to contraction of the uterus and premature birth or spontaneous abortion.

Other contraindications:

• acute infectious diseases;
• heat;
• advanced age;
• menstruation;
• high blood pressure;
• heart failure;
• inflammatory process in the area adjacent to the neoplasm;
• herpes;
• oncology;
• too sensitive skin;
• epilepsy;
• mental illness;
• excessive excitability of the central nervous system;
• suspicion of the transformation of the wart into a malignant tumor;
• individual intolerance;
• diabetes;
• HIV and venereal pathologists;
• children’s age up to 2 years.

Ways to cauterize growths

As mentioned above, there are many ways to remove plantar warts with a laser. The most popular ones will be discussed below.

Pulse-based laser

To create a laser beam, hemoglobin is used, while capillaries are removed in the neoplasm, and local immunity is increased. The emission of waves in this case is approximately 586 nm.

Erbium laser

The peculiarity of this method is the guarantee of the absence of the risk of scars and scars. Wave radiation is 2940 nm.

carbon dioxide laser

In this case, infrared radiation is used. Despite the fact that this method is quite effective, and is in no way inferior to the previous two, there are some disadvantages of such a wart removal.

The laser acts not only on pathological, but also on healthy tissues, and besides, after such a removal, the appearance of a wound is not excluded, which will leave a noticeable mark.

Preparing to burn a growth on the foot

Since laser wart removal is a simple operation, preparation for it is also not difficult. Before removing a wart, the patient must:

• make sure there are no contraindications;
• get advice from a dermatologist;
• do an analysis – scraping to establish the correct diagnosis;
• take blood and urine tests, determine the level of sugar and exclude the presence of inflammatory processes;
• take a course of immunomodulators;
• refrain from drinking alcohol a week before the intended removal;
• women are advised to prescribe the procedure a few days after the end of menstruation.

The main stages of the procedure

After all the preparation for the procedure is done, the patient comes to the clinic at the appointed time. The doctor performs anesthesia, and as soon as it begins to act, proceeds to the operation. A laser beam is directed at the wart, and it vaporizes the tissues affected by the virus in layers.

After the procedure is completed, the laser exposure surface is treated with an antiseptic preparation. If necessary, a sterile bandage is pricked on the foot, which will contribute to quick and trouble-free healing.

If you have to remove a plantar wart in children, the procedure is also performed under local anesthesia. Parents should be aware that after laser removal of the build-up, a small depression remains in its place, which becomes covered with a crust.

This crust will fall off on its own in a few days, and care must be taken that the child does not pick it off on its own, otherwise the wound may become infected. Therefore, it is better to seal the place of removal of the wart with a bactericidal patch.

Care after surgery

No special foot care is required after the procedure. This is due to the fact that the laser vaporizes the cells of only the affected tissue, and healthy tissues remain undamaged. But, despite the fact that the rehabilitation period is short and uncomplicated, something still needs to be said.

Precautionary measures

To prevent any complications, it is recommended:

1. Do not wet the crust that formed after removal with water for several days.
2. For better healing of the wound, it is better not to seal it with a band-aid.
3. Avoid sweaty feet – in a humid environment, the reproduction of pathogens occurs faster.
4. Do not treat the wound with alcohol, it is better to use less aggressive products.
5. After the crust falls off, a small depression remains in its place, which will smooth out in about 3 weeks. Until this happens, it is better not to load the leg much.
6. It is impossible to influence the operated site with high temperatures, and solar radiation should also be avoided, therefore, visits to saunas, baths and beaches are prohibited for the entire rehabilitation period.
7. If the doctor prescribed preventive drugs, you should not refuse to take them.

Foot treatment

The wound should be disinfected with an antiseptic. This may be a solution of potassium permanganate, an infusion of calendula, a 0.5% solution of chlorhexidine. The doctor may prescribe the use of creams and gels that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

After the crust falls off, in order to avoid the appearance of a scar, the operated area can be treated with Contractubex. After the procedure, the doctor will definitely give full information about the best way to treat the skin.

Possible Complications

If the procedure was performed by a qualified specialist, and during the rehabilitation period the patient followed all his recommendations, no complications can follow.

However, if the doctor had no experience, and also if the wart was very large and neglected, the following negative consequences are possible:

• the formation of scars and scars;
• wound infection;
• severe redness of the surrounding skin;
• the appearance of a rash in the form of vesicles with liquid;
• the development of a purulent process in the wound.

Will there be a scar?

Scars after removal of a plantar wart with a laser, as a rule, do not remain. However, scar formation can occur in the following cases:

• due to inexperience, the doctor acted too deeply with the laser;
• the wart was large, and the patient went to the doctor in the advanced stage of the pathology;
• the patient did not follow the doctor’s recommendations after the procedure;
• there were complications in the form of infection and inflammation;
• the patient tore off the crust on his own, without waiting for it to fall off by itself.

Cost of the procedure

The cost of a plantar wart removal procedure with a laser depends on the area of ​​the tumor. It fluctuates between 300-600 rubles .

Removal of a wart with a laser is successful in 98% of cases, but self-treatment or lack of therapy can lead to the fact that the growths will cause more and more pain, it will be impossible to step on the foot, which will lead to disability and significant problems with movement.

To prevent the recurrence of plantar warts, you should wear comfortable and well-ventilated shoes, give your feet proper rest, get rid of excessive sweating of the feet, strengthen the immune system, and maintain proper foot hygiene.

It is very important in public places, such as swimming pools or saunas, not to walk barefoot, not to use someone else’s shoes, and not to leave untreated wounds on the soles open.