How to remove flat warts?

Written by Li Ya Ping
Dermatology Department
Updated on May 18, 2025
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The treatment of flat warts mainly includes several aspects: physical therapy, topical medication therapy, and systemic medication therapy. Physical therapy for local application includes methods such as laser, cryotherapy, and microwave. This is mainly suitable when there are few skin rashes, as fewer lesions do not cause much trauma. If there are many lesions, it is recommended to use topical medication therapy and oral or injectable medication therapy. Topical medication therapy includes antiviral medications like acyclovir and penciclovir, topical immunomodulatory drugs like interferon, which also have antiviral effects, as well as topical fluorouracil and topical retinoids. Additionally, there is oral medication therapy, which includes oral antiviral drugs such as acyclovir, as well as oral retinoids. There are also medications available to boost immunity and modulate the immune system, such as thymosin and interferon. However, all these treatments should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Foods to Avoid with Flat Warts

Flat warts are a skin disease caused by human papillomavirus infection, which many people have experienced. Patients with flat warts cannot eat many foods. Firstly, they should avoid irritant foods, such as seafood, including sea fish, shrimp, crabs, etc. Secondly, they should avoid spicy and stimulating foods, such as hot pots and barbecues, and they should not drink alcohol. Finally, patients with flat warts should pay attention to eating more foods rich in vitamins and proteins.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Does flat wart affect pregnant women?

Flat warts are benign skin proliferations caused by a viral infection in women, most often due to the human papillomavirus, and typically occur on the face or upper limbs. When they occur, they generally have no impact on pregnant women, and the patient usually does not feel any discomfort. After bodily adjustment and an increase in immune resistance, they may also naturally regress. This virus does not enter the body through the placenta, so it does not affect the fetus, and there is no need for excessive worry.

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Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
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How is flat wart caused?

Flat warts are caused by a viral infection, with HPV as the pathogen. They commonly occur on exposed areas such as the face and the backs of the hands, and are most frequently seen in adult women and children. It is necessary to strengthen immunity and provide symptomatic treatment. When necessary, physical treatments can be used to promote the disappearance of the warts, such as the commonly used methods of liquid nitrogen freezing or laser treatments. Oral administration of thymopeptide enteric capsules or pimecrolimus granules can also be used. For particularly stubborn cases, in addition to the support of traditional Chinese medicine, treatment may also need to include skin photodynamic therapy. This involves a basic treatment course of once a week for three continuous weeks, applying a photosensitizer to the affected area followed by exposure to a certain light source.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Can flat warts be removed by cautery?

Flat warts are caused by papillomavirus infection. This disease is highly contagious and recurrent, making treatment complex. Generally, if there are only a few at the onset, laser removal can be used, followed by topical application of interferon to prevent recurrence. If there are many flat warts, laser treatment may not be very effective. Oral and topical medications are alternative options, such as antiviral drugs and immune-boosting medications, supplemented with topical application of interferon or localized interferon injections. If these methods are not effective enough, you may consider undergoing wart immunotherapy at a hospital, which generally yields better results overall. Laser treatment is suitable for flat warts, but only when they are few in number.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Difference between Sebaceous Nevus and Flat Warts

Sebaceous nevus is primarily associated with localized epidermal growth and development, and is a type of benign hyperplasia. Most people are affected from birth or at a very young age, generally limited to one area and do not spread massively or contagiously across the body. Flat warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, which are contagious and recurrent, and can appear all over the body, not just in one area. Flat warts are generally dot-like or circular, whereas sebaceous nevi are mostly linear in growth, becoming larger and more proliferative over time. The most common treatment for sebaceous nevus is surgical removal, while flat warts can be selectively removed using laser treatment.