When a wart turns white, it is a positive sign that the chosen treatment method is beginning to work. Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which stimulates excess cell growth. Treatments like salicylic acid exfoliation or cryotherapy aim to kill this infected tissue. The whitening signals that the process of necrosis, or cell death, has successfully begun, which is the necessary first step before the wart can detach and shed.
Why Warts Turn White
The noticeable white color is a direct result of the treatment’s effect on the structure of the wart tissue. When using a keratolytic agent like salicylic acid, the chemical works by dissolving the keratin protein, which makes up a large portion of the wart’s hard, thickened skin. This rapid breakdown and softening of the outer layers of skin causes them to absorb moisture and appear distinctly white. The white, dead tissue is now clearly separated from the surrounding healthy skin.
Cryotherapy involves applying liquid nitrogen, which causes skin cells to freeze rapidly and form ice crystals. This process ruptures the cell walls, causing the wart tissue to die. The immediate whitening is due to this cellular damage, which often leads to a lack of blood flow and the formation of a blister underneath the wart. In both cryotherapy and chemical treatments, the discoloration indicates a successful injury to the viral tissue, marking it for eventual detachment.
The Shedding Timeline and Process
The time it takes for the white, dead wart tissue to fully detach depends on the treatment method used and the size and depth of the wart. For in-office cryotherapy, where a blister typically forms beneath the treated area, the blister or subsequent scab usually falls off within a timeframe of one to four weeks. This detachment process is the body naturally separating the dead tissue from the living skin underneath.
The consistent, daily application of salicylic acid results in a more gradual process that depends on the user’s active removal of the dead layers. Once the tissue turns white, it softens, allowing it to be carefully rubbed or filed away with a pumice stone or emery board. These tools must be disposed of hygienically to avoid spreading the virus. Users continue this process over several weeks or months until the wart is no longer visible.
What to Expect After the Wart Falls Off
Once the dead tissue has detached, the skin underneath is often smooth, pink, and may appear slightly depressed, especially if the wart was large or deep. This newly exposed skin signals the final stages of healing. It is important to keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection. Avoid picking at any remaining scab or tender skin, as this could cause scarring or delay healing.
To determine if the wart has been completely removed, the skin should be smooth and match the surrounding healthy texture. A definitive sign of incomplete removal is the presence of small, dark specks, often described as black dots or seeds. These dots are thrombosed capillaries that fed the wart. If these dots or a bumpy texture remain, the core of the wart is still present and requires continued treatment.