WARTS

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Warts are those small skin growths we sometimes encounter, are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV comes in various types, with over a hundred known strains, some of which can lead to warts on the skin. When HPV infects the skin, it triggers the rapid growth of cells on the outer layer of the skin, resulting in the formation of warts. Typically, common warts pop up on the fingers, near the fingernails, or on the hands. However, certain strains of HPV can also cause warts to develop in the genital area.

The transmission of warts occurs through direct contact with HPV, as the virus is highly contagious. This transmission can happen through person-to-person contact or via contact with surfaces or objects touched by an infected individual. Moreover, the virus responsible for this small skin growths can spread to other parts of the body of the infected person.

About three out of every four individuals will experience a wart, known as verruca vulgaris, at some point in their lives. These small skin growth are caused by the contagious HPV virus.

There are several types of warts:

• Plantar Warts: These typically appear as flesh-colored or light brown lumps speckled with small blood vessels resembling tiny black dots. Found on the soles of the feet, they can cause discomfort while walking.
• Flat Warts: These small pink or brown bumps occur on the face or legs. They are caused by HPV and are smoother, flatter, and smaller than other warts. Flat warts often appear in groups, especially on the faces and legs of children and teenagers.
• Genital Warts: These growths can show up in the pubic area, genitals, around the anus, or inside the vagina. They vary in appearance, ranging from flesh-colored to pink or red, and may resemble tiny cauliflower parts. Genital warts typically occur in clusters and can cause mild pain, bleeding, or itching. Certain types of HPV can lead to cervical cancer, making HPV infection the most common sexually transmitted disease in North America.

Treatments

Warts on the skin are often harmless and might disappear without any treatment, including flat warts, although they might take quite some time—months or even years—to vanish completely. However, it’s essential to have genital warts checked by a doctor.

This can sometimes return even after treatment, and you may require multiple treatments. While doctors aim to clear warts quickly, most removal methods need several sessions. Treatment options include:

1. Minor Surgery: When other treatments fail, a doctor may surgically remove the wart, often using an electric needle or cryosurgery to destroy its base.
2. Laser Surgery: This method uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to burn and eliminate wart tissue.
3. Freezing (Cryotherapy): this involves using over-the-counter freezing spray products or having a doctor apply liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart. Home treatment might not penetrate deeply enough to be effective and can be painful. The wart typically forms a blister and falls off within 1-2 weeks.
4. Salicylic Acid: Over-the-counter treatments that contain salicylic acid, like gels, ointments, or pads, gradually dissolve wart tissue with regular application over several weeks. However, these are not suitable for genital warts.
5. Cantharidin: This substance, derived from a blister beetle extract, is applied to the wart to form a blister, lifting the wart off the skin.
6. Other Medications: These may include bleomycin, injected into the wart to kill the virus, or imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara), a prescription cream that boosts the immune system to fight off the wart virus. Imiquimod is effective for genital warts but can also work for other types.

Prevention

• Avoid picking at the growth to prevent spreading. Consider covering them with bandages and keeping your hands dry.
• These small skin growths thrive in moist environments, so try to keep affected areas dry.
• Avoid brushing, combing, or shaving areas with small skin growths to prevent spreading the virus.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the small skin growths.

Preventing Genital Warts

• Abstain from sexual contact.
• Use condoms during sexual activity.
• Have sex only with a partner who isn’t sexually active with others.
• Avoid sex with individuals showing visible symptoms of these genital skin growths.
• Consider getting the HPV vaccine for additional protection.

Sources:

• American Academy of Dermatology
• Cleveland Clinic
• Children’s Health
• DermNet NZ
• American Academy of Dermatology Association