Warts are common, benign skin growths caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which stimulates the rapid growth of cells on the skin’s outer layer. Since many warts resolve on their own, treatments like cryotherapy or salicylic acid aim to speed up this process by destroying the infected tissue. For those undergoing treatment, knowing what a wart looks like when it is dying provides a visual roadmap for successful resolution. This guide details the physical changes that indicate the treatment is working effectively.
Initial Signs That Treatment Is Working
The surface of the wart may feel noticeably different shortly after treatment begins, frequently becoming rougher, drier, or harder to the touch as the upper layers of infected tissue start to die off. For patients treating the wart with strong topical solutions, the treated area might turn a temporary white color due to the chemical application, though this is distinct from the later, more dramatic color changes.
A reduction in the tenderness or pain is another positive early sign. This decreased discomfort suggests that the treatment is beginning to disrupt the deeper viral tissue and reduce pressure on surrounding nerves.
The Key Visual Stages of Regression
As the wart tissue is destroyed, the most distinct visual cue is the appearance of small black or dark brown dots, often called “seeds,” across the wart’s surface. These spots are actually thrombosed capillaries, meaning the treatment has cut off the wart’s blood supply. The presence of these dark pinpoints is a reliable sign that the infected tissue is regressing.
Following the capillary thrombosis, the entire wart mass will begin to darken significantly, often turning black or a deep purple color as the dead tissue dries out. This process is essentially the formation of a biological scab, which is the body’s way of isolating the destroyed tissue from the healthy skin underneath. The darkening mass will then start to shrink, becoming flatter and more compact as it pulls away from the surrounding healthy skin. It is important to allow this dead tissue to fully separate naturally, as picking at the resulting crust can delay healing or introduce infection.
Recognizing Complete Wart Resolution
The final stage of healing occurs when the dead, darkened tissue has completely sloughed off, revealing the newly formed skin beneath. Complete resolution requires the return of normal skin architecture across the treated area. This means that the fine lines and ridges, such as those that make up a fingerprint, should run uninterrupted over the spot where the wart once was.
The former site of the wart should feel completely smooth, with no remaining bumps, roughness, or residual black dots indicative of remaining viral tissue. The skin in this area may initially appear slightly lighter or pinker than the surrounding skin, but this discoloration is temporary. Continued monitoring for any recurrence of rough texture or pain is advised to ensure the viral infection is fully cleared.
Signs That Treatment May Be Failing
Certain signs indicate that the therapy is not working or is causing complications. A wart that shows no signs of change—no darkening, no shrinking, and no appearance of thrombosed capillaries—after the expected treatment period suggests the therapy is not effectively penetrating the viral tissue.
Excessive or spreading redness, swelling, or pain that significantly exceeds the expected localized irritation can indicate a problem, such as a possible infection. If the wart noticeably increases in size or if new, smaller warts begin to form in a ring around the treated area, this indicates that the virus is actively spreading. Any sign of pus or a persistent fever should prompt immediate consultation with a healthcare professional.