What are warts?
Warts are growth on skin that are caused by virus Human Papilloma virus(HPV). This virus stimulates the growth of outer layer of skin cells. The abnormal proliferation of cell appears as blister, bump or small cauliflower like growth on skin. These lesions are called warts or verrucae.
What are the different types of warts?
The warts can appear as dome shaped, smooth flat topped bumps, finger like or cauliflower like projections coming out of skin.
- Dome shaped elevated bumps are most common type of warts. These can occur in any part of body, but more commonly occur at back of hands, fingers, knees and around the nails.
- Smooth flat topped bumps are found mostly on face and extremities.
- Sometimes, the warts can appear as finger shaped projections. These are especially seen on face and neck.
- The warts can also be on palms of hand and sole of foot. These warts are painful and usually occur at pressure points or weight bearing areas.
- Warts may also occur at genital or anal area. These are usually sexually transmitted and appear as cauliflower like growths.
How can you get an infection?
Virus is spread by skin to skin contact, touching the things used by infected person, untreated swimming pool or sexual contact. Every person’s immunity responds to virus infection differently. Not all people who comes in contact with virus get infected or develop warts. Some people are at more risk of developing warts. These include children, elderly and young adults who have not developed immunity to the virus. The people with weakened immunity due to HIV, cancer chemotherapy or organ transplant are at higher risk of developing warts.
When should you see a doctor for warts?
Common warts are usually harmless and sometimes may disappear on their own.
- But these should be treated because not only they are contagious but they also have tendency to spread and form multiple lesions. So it is important to get treated for containing the spread of infection.
- Painful warts or troublesome warts that interfere routine activities also need to be treated.
- When the growths have sudden increase in size or change in colour or appearance.
Prevention
- Avoid direct contact with warts including your own warts
- Don’t pick your warts as it causes spread of infection
- Do not share pumice stone, razor, nail clipper etc of infected person. And also don’t use it on the same on heathy skin and skin affected with warts
- Groom with care. Avoid brushing or shaving areas with warts. Use a electric razor instead
- Do not try to remove or clip warts at home, you can complicate or spread the infection to other parts of body
Treatment
Most often non-genital warts resolve in 1-2 years without causing complications. But it is important to get treatment as in many cases warts spread near by area and also they are contagious. Several methods to treatment are available. These include
- Application of chemicals:some warts respond to chemical cauterisation with salicylic acid, lactic acid, tricholoroacetic acid etc. But these are not home based treatments rather application of these chemical should be done by experienced doctor.
- Radiofrequency and laser: The warts can be burnt superficially by radio frequency and lasers.
In our clinic, we remove the warts with Radiofrequency and then apply tricholoroacetic acid on area to prevent recurrence.
Recurrence
Recurrence is unpredictable though not uncommon.
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Dr Monika Misra
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