Warts are caused by a virus called Human Pappilomavirus (HPV), and there are different types that a person can get infected with. They are generally small, rough formations, usually found on the
hands and feet. However, they can also appear on other parts of the human body. They can look like a cluster of cauliflowers, a solid bump, or a threadlike piece of skin.Common Types of Warts
The common wart (Verucca vulgaris) is a raised wart called papules or plaques. These warts have a rough surface and are usually seen on the hands, elbows, and knees.
Flat Warts
The flat wart (Verucca plana) is a small, smooth, and flat-topped wart. This is skin-colored and can appear on the
face as well. Flat warts easily spread through shaving. They are most common in teens and children. These warts usually appear on the face, forehead, hands, arms, or neck. Usually, there are multiple warts in the same area, which makes them difficult to treat. Treatment is with non-prescription drugs, but it is not always necessary because they tend to go away on their own. Whether
treatment will be effective depends on the wart size and how deep it has grown. If generic drugs do not help, it is advisable to apply stronger substances like salicylic acid, retinoin, or glycolic. You may have to use cryotherapy and freeze the skin with liquid nitrogen. The final option is electric surgery. After such treatment, they simply drop off.
Plantar Warts
The plantar wart (Verucca pedis) is usually seen on the soles of the feet. Plantar warts are hard, thick, and sometimes painful lumps, especially in weight-bearing areas. They usually have black specks in the center. These warts are sometimes confused with corns or calluses.
Plantar warts can be extremely painful and very ugly. They look like tiny lesions on the foot sole and sometimes on the toes. When they first begin to develop, they look like small black marks, but as they grow, they start to look like brown cauliflowers. When you walk, you push them into the skin, which is why they hurt. People complain that it is like walking on a stone. The type of human papilloma virus (HPV) that causes these warts is transmitted through direct contact with the virus. It thrives in pool decks, shower rooms and other moist environments. Many
plantar warts go away by themselves with time. They are treated with salicylic acid, which is to be applied daily on the wart area for around a month.
Genital Warts
Genital warts (Verucca acuminata, Condyloma acuminatum) are also called venereal warts. Genital warts appear only in the genital area of both men and women: in and around the
vagina, cervix, anus, penis, and scrotum. These warts can resemble the common wart or they can be small papules and skin colored. They can also vary in size; from being tiny (so that they are sometimes unnoticeable to the naked eye), or they can grow large in size and even obstruct urinating.
Oral Warts
Another common type is oral warts, which can appear anywhere on the lips or inside the mouth. They are rough and lumpy. This variety infects only humans and is spread by kissing and
oral sex. Poor hygiene is another common cause. Oral warts can lead to cancer, so they should be taken very seriously. Treatment options include surgical excision, injecting them with interpheron alpha, and freezing with cryotherapy.
Filiform Warts
Filiform warts, also known as facial warts, can be spread by sharing towels. If they are not removed they multiply. You do not contract the virus every time you come into contact with an infected person. Some people never get infected. It depends on the person’s age and
immune system. This goes for all wart types – younger people and people with a weaker immune system are more susceptible to
transmission. Filiform warts usually occur on the eyelids, neck and lips. Symptoms include bleeding and itching. You cannot remove these warts on your own. Salicylic acid is effective in combination with freezing, laser light, or surgical excision. Unfortunately, the last method leads to scarring. At any rate, you must consult your doctor.
Periungual Warts
Periungual warts occur under or near fingernails and toenails. They start out very small, but after several weeks, they turn into rough pea-size bumps. They are commonly found in people who pick and bite their nails because the broken skin surfaces are conducive to infections. They can spread to other parts of the body if your hygiene is poor. Treatment methods are similar – salicylic acid, laser, and freezing.
The type of wart that develops should be diagnosed by a doctor. A biopsy can also confirm the diagnosis but is seldom required.
Causes of Warts to Appear
Warts are caused by the Human Pappilomavirus (HPV) which attacks the skin and immune system of the infected person. There are cases in which a person has come in contact with HPV but does not develop warts; this person could be having a strong immunity.
Each type of wart has a specific HPV strain that causes it. Common warts appear after infection with HPV types 2 and 4. Plantar warts are mostly caused by HPV type 1. Genital warts, on the other hand, are caused by HPV types 6 and 11. The
flat warts develop after infection with HPV types 3, 10 and 28.
Treatment of Warts
The treatment of warts can vary according to type, location, and the condition of the patient. Pregnant women who have warts should not treat them with OTC drugs as they contain chemicals that can cause birth defects.
Warts are not curable, but they can be removed. They can disappear after a few months and can always reoccur. Doctors remove warts through cauterization or burning of the growth, laser treatment, and other methods. Cryosurgery, in particular, freezes warts using liquid nitrogen and will require a couple of treatments before the warts fall off.
Warts can be prevented though, and a
HPV vaccine has been developed to prevent any diseases caused by the virus.
