Read more about this disease, some with Classification – Types – Signs and symptoms – Genetics – Pathophysiology – Diagnosis – Screening – Prevention – Treatment and management – Cures and much more, some including pictures and video when available.
A wart (also known as verruca) is generally a small, rough tumor, typically on hands and feet but often other locations, that can resemble a cauliflower or a solid blister. Warts are common, and are caused by a viral infection, specifically by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are contagious when in contact with the skin of an infected person. It is also possible to get warts from using towels or other objects used by an infected person. They typically disappear after a few months but can last for years and can recur.
Warts are caused by a virus called human papilloma virus or HPV. There are approximately 100 strains of human papilloma viruses.[1][2] Type 1, 2, and 3 causes most of the common warts. Type 1 is associated with deep plantar (sole of the feet) and palmar warts (palm of the hand). Type 2 causes common warts, filiform warts, plantar warts, mosaic plantar warts. Type 3 causes “plane” warts, or commonly known as flat warts..[3] Anogenital warts are caused by types 6, 11, 16, 18, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 39, 40 and others. HPV types 6 and 11 cause about 90% of genital warts cases. HPV types 16 and 18 currently cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases[4][5], and also cause some vulvar, vaginal[6], penile and anal cancers[7]. Gardasil, a vaccine for HPV is designed to prevent infection with HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11; it is claimed to prevent infections to other strains of anogenital warts through cross protection against other types of HPV’s. HPV is associated with oral cancer, laryngeal cancers, tracheal and lung cancers.[8] [9]
A range of different types of wart has been identified, varying in shape and site affected, as well as the type of human papillomavirus involved.[10] These include
Treatments that may be prescribed by a medical professional include
The wart often regrows after the skin has healed.
One review of 52 clinical trials of various cutaneous wart treatments concluded that topical treatments containing salicylic acid were the best supported, with an average cure rate of 75%, compared with 48% for the placebo in six placebo-controlled trials including a total of 376 participants.[20] The reviewers also concluded that there was little evidence of a significant benefit of Cryotherapy over placebo or no treatment.[20]
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