IV Fluids
INDICATION – BRIEF
Warts are skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), with different HPV types leading to different wart types. Warts often appear on broken skin, as the virus triggers rapid cell multiplication, creating a wart. They are most common in young individuals and those with weakened immune systems. While unsightly, warts are usually harmless and can disappear without treatment. Spread of HPV can occur through direct skin contact or indirectly via objects in warm, moist environments. Warts can be treated using over-the-counter salicylic acid preparations, cryotherapy, or stronger prescription treatments. Despite treatment, recurrence is possible, and sometimes, multiple treatment rounds are necessary.
INDICATION – DEFINITION
A wart is a small, fleshy bump on the skin or mucous membrane caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 types of HPV, many of which are responsible for different types of warts. For example, some types of HPV can lead to the development of common warts, plantar warts, flat warts, or filiform warts.
The different types of warts are generally named based on their location on the body or their overall shape and appearance. For example, plantar warts occur on the soles of the feet, while filiform warts tend to occur on the face. Warts can be unsightly and bothersome, but they are usually harmless and often disappear on their own after a few months to years.
Clinical Factors: The primary clinical factor that causes warts is infection with HPV. The virus usually enters the body in an area of broken skin, where it can cause cells to rapidly multiply and create a wart. HPV is highly contagious and can spread through direct skin-to-skin contact, or indirectly by touching an object that someone with a wart has touched, such as a towel or exercise equipment. The virus thrives in warm, moist environments like showers, swimming pools, and locker rooms.
Non-clinical Factors: Non-clinical factors can also increase the risk of developing warts. These include:
- Age: Warts are most common in children and young adults, as their immune systems may not be as adept at combating the HPV virus.
- Immune system function: People with weakened immune systems, whether due to a condition like HIV/AIDS or treatment such as chemotherapy, are more susceptible to warts.
- Environmental factors: Public spaces that are warm and moist can facilitate the spread of HPV.
- Skin trauma: Cuts, scratches, or other skin injuries can make it easier for the HPV virus to enter the body and cause warts.
Treatment for warts varies depending on the type of wart and its location. Over-the-counter treatments often include salicylic acid preparations. Cryotherapy, which involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, is a common in-office procedure. In some cases, stronger prescription treatments may be necessary. However, even with treatment, warts can recur, and it may take several rounds of treatment for the wart to fully disappear. In some cases, warts disappear on their own without any treatment.
SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS
Symptoms:Â
Warts can manifest in various forms depending on the type and location, but general symptoms include:
- Small, fleshy, grainy bumps on the skin or mucous membranes.
- Flesh-colored, white, pink, or tan bumps that are often rough to the touch.
- Black pinpoints, often called wart seeds, which are small, clotted blood vessels.
- Pain or tenderness when walking or standing, or during other pressure application (typically for plantar warts).
Each type of wart has unique features:
- Common warts: Often appear on fingers, backs of hands, and around nails.
- Plantar warts: Found on soles of feet, can cause discomfort during walking.
- Flat warts: Smaller, smoother warts that can occur in large numbers; commonly appear on the face and forehead.
- Filiform warts: Fast-growing, usually found on the face around the mouth, nose, or chin.
Diagnosis:Â
Warts are typically diagnosed through a physical examination by a dermatologist or other healthcare professional. The dermatologist will examine the skin growth to determine if it is a wart. They may also ask about your medical history and any relevant lifestyle factors.
In some cases, the dermatologist might perform a biopsy if there’s a doubt about the diagnosis or concern about skin cancer. This procedure involves removing the wart or a part of it and sending the sample to a lab for microscopic examination. However, this is typically only done if the growth is resistant to standard treatments or if the skin growth has changed in appearance.
It’s important to note that while most warts are harmless, you should consult a healthcare professional if you notice any changes in color, shape, or size of a wart, or if it starts to bleed. It’s also recommended to consult with a healthcare professional if the wart causes pain, is located on the face or genitals, or if you have a weakened immune system due to underlying health conditions or medications.
Prognosis and Impact
Prognosis:Â
Most warts are benign and non-cancerous. They usually resolve on their own within months to a couple of years, but this timeline can vary greatly from person to person. Some warts may persist for several years if untreated. The recurrence rate is also quite high, even after successful treatment, as the virus may remain in the body.
While most warts don’t pose a significant health risk, there are exceptions. Genital warts, caused by certain strains of HPV, can be associated with cervical, anal, penile, and other genital cancers. Regular screenings and HPV vaccinations can help manage this risk.
Impact:Â
Warts can have both physical and psychological impact. Physically, some warts, particularly plantar warts, can cause discomfort or pain, especially when walking or standing. Warts can be cosmetically bothersome, leading to potential self-consciousness and distress, especially if they are on exposed parts of the body like the hands or face.
Warts can be contagious, so individuals with warts may need to take steps to prevent spreading the virus to others. This can include avoiding sharing personal items like towels or razors, and avoiding direct skin contact with others. For people who engage in activities like swimming or gym exercises, this can lead to lifestyle modifications.
Treatment of warts can also be time-consuming and potentially costly, depending on the treatment method chosen. Over-the-counter treatments can be relatively affordable, but multiple applications are often required. More intense treatments such as cryotherapy, laser therapy, or prescription medications are typically more expensive and may require multiple visits to a healthcare provider.
Treatment Options
- Topical treatments: Over-the-counter products containing salicylic acid are commonly used. They work by peeling off the infected skin over time. There are also prescription-strength topical treatments, such as those containing higher concentrations of salicylic acid or other substances like imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil, which work by stimulating the body’s immune system to fight the wart virus.
- Cryotherapy: This procedure involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen. The freezing kills the cells of the wart, allowing healthy skin to grow in its place. It may require multiple treatments and can cause discomfort.
- Laser treatment: Certain types of warts, particularly those that are deep or resistant to other treatments, may be treated with laser therapy. This involves using a concentrated beam of light to burn and destroy the wart tissue.
- Minor surgery: If other treatments fail, the wart may be cut out. This procedure, called curettage, is often done under local anesthesia. Electrodesiccation, a process of drying out the tissue with electricity before removal, is often performed in conjunction with curettage.
- Cantharidin: In this treatment, a substance called cantharidin is applied to the wart, causing it to blister and allowing the dermatologist to remove the dead wart tissue.
- Vaccines: While not a treatment, vaccines against HPV can help prevent certain types of warts, particularly genital warts.
It’s important to note that warts can recur even after successful treatment, as the virus can remain in the skin cells. Some treatments may also cause side effects such as pain, blistering, and skin discoloration.
Always consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional to discuss the best treatment options based on the size, location, and type of wart, your lifestyle, and personal preferences.
Risks and Side Effects
- Topical treatments: Over-the-counter or prescription topical treatments, especially those containing salicylic acid, can cause skin irritation, dryness, and peeling. They can also harm surrounding healthy skin if not applied correctly. More potent prescriptions, like imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil, can lead to severe skin reactions in some individuals.
- Cryotherapy: Common side effects of cryotherapy include pain during treatment, skin irritation, and blistering. The treated area may darken or lighten, leading to potential skin discoloration. There’s also a slight risk of infection.
- Laser treatment: Laser therapy can cause pain and may require a local anesthetic. Other side effects can include skin redness, swelling, and a risk of infection. Changes in skin color can occur in the treated area. There may also be a slight risk of scarring.
- Minor surgery (Curettage and Electrodesiccation): Side effects can include pain, scarring, and risk of infection. As with many surgical procedures, there’s a risk of bleeding. Additionally, the wart may return, even after its apparent removal.
- Cantharidin: This treatment can cause a blister to form, which may be painful. Skin discoloration and slight risk of scarring are also possible.
- Vaccines: The HPV vaccine is generally safe, but it can cause mild side effects like pain at the injection site, headache, nausea, and possibly a mild fever. These side effects are generally temporary and should not cause long-term problems.
FAQ Section
What are warts?Â
Warts are small, fleshy growths on your skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are generally harmless and often disappear on their own over time.
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How do I get warts?Â
You can get warts through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching an object or surface that an infected person has touched, like towels or shoes. The HPV virus tends to thrive in warm, moist environments like locker rooms or swimming pools.
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Are warts contagious?Â
Yes, warts are contagious. They can spread through direct contact with the wart or through contact with something that touched the wart.
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Can warts be prevented?Â
Yes, you can reduce your risk of getting warts by avoiding direct contact with warts, including your own. Don’t pick at a wart as you could spread the virus to other areas of your skin. Also, keep your feet dry and avoid walking barefoot in communal bathing areas.
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What are the treatment options for warts?Â
There are several treatment options, including topical treatments (over-the-counter or prescription), cryotherapy (freezing the wart), minor surgery, laser treatment, or a blistering solution known as Cantharidin. Treatment choice depends on the size, location, and type of wart, your lifestyle, and personal preferences.
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Can warts come back after treatment?Â
Yes, even after successful treatment, warts can recur because the virus can remain in your body.
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Are there any side effects to wart treatments?Â
Yes, side effects can occur depending on the treatment. They can range from skin irritation and discoloration to pain and, in rare cases, scarring. It’s best to discuss these potential side effects with your healthcare provider.
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Can warts lead to cancer?Â
Most warts do not lead to cancer. However, certain high-risk types of HPV, which are typically associated with genital warts, can lead to cancer, including cervical, anal, and other genital cancers. Regular screenings and HPV vaccinations can help manage this risk.
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When should I seek medical attention for a wart?Â
While most warts are harmless, you should consult a healthcare professional if a wart is causing pain, changes in color or appearance, or if it is located on your face or genitals. Also, if you have a weakened immune system due to other health conditions, it’s important to seek medical advice.
Reference
For specific references, you can refer to credible sources like:
- “Warts: Diagnosis and Treatment” from the American Academy of Dermatology Association: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/warts-treatment
- “Common Warts: Overview” from the Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-wart/symptoms-causes/syc-20371125
- “Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccines” from the National Cancer Institute: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-vaccine-fact-sheet