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Common Warts

 

What are warts?

Also known as Verruca vulgaris, warts are  benign (non cancerous) growths on the skin that are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Transmission usually occurs via direct contact with an infected person where the virus enters the body via tiny cuts & breaks in the skin. The virus causes the skin cells to multiply rapidly.

There are several types of warts, including plantar warts which are found on the soles of the feet & genital warts, which, as the name would suggest, are found on the genitals. There are over 100 types of HPV that affect different parts of the body. Type 2 being  responsible for most cases of the common wart.

Symptoms appear weeks or months after initial exposure, making it difficult to determine how or where infection occurred. Common warts can grow on any part of the body but they are most commonly found on the hands, fingers & knees.

Warts symptoms:

  • Small, raised, flesh coloured growths with a "cauliflower" type appearance. They are usually painless.

  • Warts may appear in singular or multiples.

  • They range in size from 1mm to up to 10mm wide.

How are warts diagnosed?

Diagnosis may be made based on clinical appearance, however there are other skin conditions that look similar to warts so your doctor may wish to perform a biopsy to confirm diagnosis.

Warts treatment:

Warts will disappear on their own in most cases. This will generally take up to 2 years. Therefore treatment is not necessary unless the warts are causing undue discomfort or embarrassment. If warts don't disappear, or they cause discomfort, then there are several ways to remove the warts. These include;

Over the counter topical preparations - Available from your chemist, these are painted on to the wart. Most over the counter preparations contain salicylic acid. Care is needed to avoid applying the paint to normal skin as this will cause burning.

Prescription topical preparations - These are also painted onto the wart. There are several types of prescription only preparation, your doctor can advise on the most suitable one.

Cryosurgery - Freezing the warts off with liquid nitrogen.

Surgical excision.

Laser therapy - Laser is used to burn off the warts.

Duct tape occlusion therapy (DTOT) - This involves application of duct tape to the affected area, it is believed that this suffocates the wart. The tape is left on for several days & then removed. The area is soaked in water & then debrided with a pumice stone. This process is repeated until the wart is gone.

Immunotherapy - This is a method in which the immune system is stimulated in order to fight the virus.

 

Also see:

Athletes foot, Cellulitis, Cold Sores, Corns, Dyshidrotic Eczema, Eczema, Flea bites, Folliculitis, Impetigo, Itching, Itchy Scalp, Jock Itch, Molluscum contagiosum, Nappy rash, Nummular Eczema, Prickly Heat, Psoriasis, Ringworm, Rosacea, Roseola, Scabies, Tinea Capatis, Tinea Versicolour, Vitiligo, Warts

 

Please note:

The medical articles on this site have not been written by a doctor & should not be considered a replacement for a doctors visit. The articles are provided for informative purposes only & should not be used for  the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition

While great care has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.  

 
 

 

 

 

 

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