WHAT ARE WARTS???

Warts are nothing but a virus infecting usually the skins top layer and the layer starts becoming thicker. The warts are usually contagious and it commonly enters the skin through small cuts and grazes.

It usually spreads with contact with wart.

What causes warts?

It is due to a virus known as Human Papilloma virus. Commonly enters through cuts and scrapes and it can spread from one part of body to another.

Who gets warts?

Anyone can get warts

More commonly in children, immunosupressed, people who bite nails, at sites of hair removing llke beard in men, legs in women.

What we see?

There are different types of warts:

Common wart

 Also known as Verruca Vulgaris

It is commonly seen as skin coloured or dark lesion with rough surface. Commonly on the fingers, back of hand, palms. It has tiny clotted blood vessels which looks like black dots. Sometimes it is felt only as rough bumps.

Foot warts

Also known as plantar warts.

It usually is seen in the soles, if many plantar warts grow together it is called mosaic warts. Some people complaints of pain.

Subungal warts

It usually occurs underneath the nails and is more difficult to treat as there may be extension beneath the nail.

Flat warts

Also known as verruca plana.

Small, smooth, flat topped warts usually in children on their face, men in their beard region.

Finger like warts

Also known as Filiform warts

It is small finger like projections near the mouth, eyes or nose.

Genital warts

They are usually seen in the genital region, pubic area or the anus. They can vary from very small to large, and sometimes looks like small cauliflower like pieces and can have mild pain, itching or bleeding.

What we can do….

Stop picking and scratching on the wart

Stop nail biting

Keep your razors clean

Use a foot wear always

Don’t touch others warts.

For genital warts:

Using condoms

Single partner

Abstaining from sex with an infected person

How to treat…

Warts are usually in the superficial layers of the skin and occasionally they disappear on their own. But it is best to get it treated. In most cases it goes of in a single sitting but may need multiple sittings.

Different methods include:

Salicylic acid or combination is used and seen if it disappears.

Cryotherapy: liquid nitrogen to get it removed, but may require multiple sittings.

Electrocautery and radiofrequency: It can be removed by burning it with the machines

Excision: Some doctors excise the warts

Laser: It is again burning the warts that is more resistant and can be done more precisely

Others: bleomycin, immunotherapies.