Warts | How to indetify, Causes, Types and treatment

Warts Form and Spread

When the skin is infected by the human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus stimulates excessive and rapid growth of keratin, resulting in the formation of warts.  Different sub-types of HPV target different parts of the body, leading to distinct types of warts.

HPV is primarily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, which can occur during sexual activity, nail-biting, or shaving.  However, warts can also be contracted through seemingly innocuous activities, such as sharing towels, gloves or shoes.

Types of Warts: Signs and Symptoms

Warts vary based on their location and characteristics. Common types include:

– Common warts: Found mainly on fingers and hands, these are small, rough, and flesh-colored bumps with black dots on top.

– Foot (Plantar) warts: Located on the soles of the feet, often in clusters. They are flat, growing into the feet, and can be painful. Black dots may be visible on these warts.

– Flat warts: These are typically found on the faces of children, the beard area of men, and the legs of women. Flat warts are small and smooth, lacking the bumpy texture of other types, and they often appear in clusters.

– Filiform warts: Also commonly located on the face, especially around the eyes, mouth, and nose, filiform warts resemble fine, upright sticks.  They tend to grow quickly and can be more prominent than other types of warts.

Risk Factors for Warts

Warts often occur in otherwise healthy individuals, but some people are more susceptible to HPV infections and wart development, including:

– People with eczema: Their skin barrier is weakened due to inflammation and frequent scratching.

– Individuals with weakened immune systems: Those with HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, or on immunosuppressants are more likely to contract HPV and develop warts, which may be harder to treat.

Complications of Warts

While most warts are benign, treatment is advisable for several reasons:

– HPV infection can spread: This can affect other parts of the patient’s body or be transmitted to others.

– Pain: Warts growing inward, especially plantar warts, can be painful.

– Cancer: Genital warts can potentially be associated with cancer.

Diagnosing Warts

Warts are typically diagnosed through a physical examination by a healthcare professional. For warts located on the hands and feet, scraping or paring the thickened skin may be necessary to reveal the characteristic black dots associated with palmoplantar warts. In rare instances, a biopsy may be required to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other conditions, such as atypical bacterial infections, deep fungal infections, or skin cancer.

Treating Warts

Warts sometimes resolve on their own, especially in children, though this is less common in adults.  If warts persist or cause issues, treatment options include:

– Salicylic acid and other acids: Available in creams, gels, paints, and bandages, these acids help dissolve warts over weeks or months.

– Freezing (Cryotherapy): Liquid nitrogen is used to destroy wart cells by applying extreme cold.

– Cantharidin: A chemical derived from blister beetles, used for its blistering effect to treat warts and molluscum contagiosum. Caution is advised, especially in sensitive areas.

– Wart removal surgery: In some cases, healthcare professionals may use methods like cauterization, curettage, or laser therapy to remove warts.