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What Are Seed Warts?

Meshell Powell
Meshell Powell

Seed warts are abnormal growths that develop on the skin, usually due to infection with the human papilloma virus, also known as HPV. There are usually no uncomfortable symptoms associated with the development of seed warts unless the skin becomes damaged or broken, at which time pain or infection may occur. In most cases, treatment is not necessary, although some people prefer to have the warts removed for cosmetic reasons. Over-the-counter or prescription medications are usually all that is needed to remove the warts, although surgical removal may sometimes be necessary. Any specific questions or concerns about seed warts in an individual situation should be discussed with a doctor or other medical professional.

The hands and fingers are the most common location for seed warts, although they may appear on any area of the body, including the genitals. Although there is no cure for the virus responsible for the development of these warts, the lesions themselves can often be removed if they are causing physical or emotional complications. In some cases, seed warts may disappear on their own without any medical treatment after a few months or years.

Liquid nitrogen is a popular remedy to remove warts.
Liquid nitrogen is a popular remedy to remove warts.

Over-the-counter wart removal medications are often successful at reducing the size of seed warts. Many of these medications are made with an ingredient known as salicylic acid, which works by attacking one layer of the lesion at a time until the wart disappears. As a wart can contain multiple layers, repeated application is often required. Prescription-strength medications may be used if over-the-counter medications are not successful.

Freezing warts with liquid nitrogen often causes blisters to form where the treatment was performed.
Freezing warts with liquid nitrogen often causes blisters to form where the treatment was performed.

Cryotherapy is a procedure that is frequently used to remove seed warts. Liquid nitrogen is used to essentially freeze off the wart. Mild skin irritation may occur as a result of this method of removal, and repeated treatments may be necessary. Home remedies such as tea tree oil may be used, although it may take several weeks or months to notice a reduction in the size of the warts.

Tea tree oil may be used as a home remedy for seed warts, although it could take weeks or months to notice a difference.
Tea tree oil may be used as a home remedy for seed warts, although it could take weeks or months to notice a difference.

If all other treatment methods fail or if the seed warts are particularly large, surgical removal may be recommended. This procedure can usually be performed in a doctor's office with the use of a local anesthetic. The risk of infection increases when this method is used, so a topical or oral antibiotic may be prescribed to lessen these risks. The supervising physician can help the patient decide on the most appropriate treatment options for an individual situation.

Discussion Comments

anon1006095

Fluorouracil cream was the only thing that worked for me.

ysmina

I had liquid nitrogen treatment done on several warts this morning. Man, it hurt! My doctor should have numbed my skin but he didn't. I thought it was just going to feel cold, but it hurt too and now it's throbbing. The pain is supposed to go away in a few days but I'm kind of regretting it now. If the warts fall off and never come back, then it will be worth it.

Has anyone here had cryotherapy? Did it work for you or did the warts come back?

serenesurface

@turquoise-- They're all the same thing! Plantar warts and HPV warts are different names for seed warts. If you have just a common wart, you have a seed wart.

What are you doing to treat it? Have you tried the apple cider vinegar remedy yet?

I've been doing this remedy for the past two days for my wart. I soak a cotton ball with ACV and tape it on the wart. I change the cotton after a day. I haven't seen a difference yet, but I hope it will start working by next week.

turquoise

I'm not sure if what I have is a seed wart or something else. One website says that seed warts are the same as plantar warts and here it says that they are HPV warts. I'm confused.

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    • Liquid nitrogen is a popular remedy to remove warts.
      By: Gordon Lau
      Liquid nitrogen is a popular remedy to remove warts.
    • Freezing warts with liquid nitrogen often causes blisters to form where the treatment was performed.
      By: F.C.G.
      Freezing warts with liquid nitrogen often causes blisters to form where the treatment was performed.
    • Tea tree oil may be used as a home remedy for seed warts, although it could take weeks or months to notice a difference.
      By: Lucie Říhová
      Tea tree oil may be used as a home remedy for seed warts, although it could take weeks or months to notice a difference.
    • Over-the-counter wart removal medications are often successful at reducing the size of seed warts.
      By: Olga Lyubkin
      Over-the-counter wart removal medications are often successful at reducing the size of seed warts.
    • Oral antibiotics may be prescribed to lessen the chance of a seed wart infection.
      By: Pakhay Oleksandr
      Oral antibiotics may be prescribed to lessen the chance of a seed wart infection.
    • Seed warts are abnormal growths on areas such as the genitals, usually due to infection with HPV.
      By: isyste
      Seed warts are abnormal growths on areas such as the genitals, usually due to infection with HPV.
    • Seed warts that are particularly large may require surgery to remove.
      By: naypong
      Seed warts that are particularly large may require surgery to remove.