What Are Warts?

What Causes Warts?

Warts are caused by various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters the body through tiny cuts, scratches, or breaks in the skin. HPV is contagious, and warts can spread through direct contact with someone who has a wart or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. It’s important to note that not everyone exposed to HPV will develop warts, as this depends on individual immune system responses.

What Do Warts Look Like?

Warts can vary in appearance depending on their location and type, including common warts, plantar warts (soles of feet), flat warts (face, thighs, arms), genital warts, and periungual warts (located around or under the nails). These lesions can vary in size and they may appear as rough, bumpy spots or raised, flat lesions. Color variegation is common and can range from white to pink to brown. These lesions can be asymptomatic or can be associated with itching or pain.

What Can I Do to Treat My Warts?

Several treatment options can be used to help eliminate the warts and prevent their spread, including:

• Topical Treatments: Over the counter or prescription topical medications can be applied directly to the wart to gradually remove the infected skin.
• Cryotherapy: A dermatologist can freeze the wart using liquid nitrogen to destroy the affected tissue.
• Electrosurgery: A high frequency electrical current is applied to the wart to destroy the affected tissue.
• Candida Immunotherapy: A small amount of candida yeast antigen is injected into the wart. The injection stimulates the immune system to recognize and attack the wart-causing virus, promoting the body’s natural ability to clear the infection.
• Surgical Excision: The wart is surgically removed with a scalpel or blade in a minor procedure under local anesthesia.

If you have concerns about warts or would like to discuss available treatment options, contact Evolve Dermatology to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced board-certified dermatologists.