This thing wont go away, triggers health anxiety

I have a wart on my finger, it's only one and not giant but it's on the side of my right index finger.. and it hasn't gone away. :^( I've had it for months now, and I've tried many methods to get rid of it. Dad has put vinegar + medicine with a cotton ball + gauze, worked for a while and it slowly began to fade (not completely) but then it came back. Then a freeze treatment was bought from the pharmacy, and I tried using it on my finger- at first, again, faded for a while (again, not completely) and then it came back. And a few weeks ago, when I used it, it burned my finger and didn't even fade the wart away whatsoever. Not only that, now I literally have a permanent burnt mark on my finger. (I'm tan, and the patch is light pink, and it doesn't hurt at all but it's there and likely won't go away forever but I hate how it looks.) But now it's noticeable and makes me feel so self-conscious, I'm scared people will see and think I'm overly contagious and get away from me, and I'm scared it will spread and I keep freaking out over it. < /3 What do I do? And in the meantime, how can I hide it? I'd appreciate any advice ! (Also for extra info: I have a pool party tomorrow, and the internet said to avoid touching many things at public pools since it can lead to contamination and OCD is having a field day with that.)

anonymous_pu...

Date posted: 7d

Hi, I don’t really have any medical advice, but I just wanted you to know that you’re not alone. This sounds really exhausting to deal with. To be fair, I have had a few episodes around contamination as well and they are so frustrating and overwhelming.

VVbee

Date posted: 15h

Thank you for the reminder <3 it is really annoying, and the worst part it's on my hands, which I not only use it a lot with the hobbies I do so I now feel like I have to be extra careful with it now, but I also decorate my nails a lot. So whenever people see them I now get nervous they'll also notice the weird bump that's on my finger. (Which is such a bummer, so now I just hide my hands the most I can.)

anonymous_pu...

Date posted: 15h

@VVbee I totally understand you. It’s so exhausting to deal with this. I’m here if you want to vent :)

ezzieorsomet...

Date posted: 6d

Have you tried scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist for removal if possible? Some warts are very stubborn and deep. I will say I've been in a similar situation, and I won't recommend what I did to get rid of it. (I did a physical removal ughhhh and scared my hand forever) Hmm, can you possible wrap it? If there is a bandage on the finger, no one is going to look or think about it twice. If someone asks about the band aid or wrapping you can just say that you burned yourself, which is true. likely no one is going to ask. Keeping it covered too can help reduce the risk of spreading, and just in general know that it's pretty normal to get things like that.

VVbee

Date posted: 15h

Thank you for the bandage tip! Luckily I had a bandage wrap nearby and it helped to hide it for the day. :^) I haven't scheduled an appointment yet but the next time I go to the doctors I'll definitely ask.. I'm glad you told me to not physically try to remove it, I've done that once and it did nothing but cut my hand, and it just went back. (Then the treatment thing happened and I still have that weird burn mark as of now. So I confirm that it'll likely be there forever now.. "") But for now I just won't touch it until I have an appointment- thank you so much for the advice in general ! <3

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