Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections cause harmless skin hyperplasia, commonly known as warts, which primarily spread through direct or indirect human contact. Warts can grow on any part of the body where there is keratinized tissue in the skin. When the virus invades the surface of the skin, it stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes. If the affected area is scratched with hands or instruments, warts can spread to other parts of the skin.
As patients generally do not feel discomfort, warts may go unnoticed for many years. However, if warts grow on the body or neck, they can easily get scraped by clothing or become inflamed, leading to itching or pain. If warts appear on the soles of the feet (i.e., plantar warts), they can also cause a stabbing pain due to pressure when walking.
There are various misconceptions about warts, mainly because there are over a hundred types of viruses that cause them, each resulting in different forms and characteristics, such as:
HPV 2 and 4 cause common warts.
HPV 3, 10, and 28 cause flat warts.
HPV 3, 27, and 57 cause plantar warts.
HPV 6 and 11 cause genital warts, with only those contracted through sexual contact being classified as sexually transmitted diseases (Genital Warts).
Types of warts:
Common warts: These warts typically grow on fingers, toes, the back of hands, knees, and around nails because these areas are most prone to skin damage. Common warts appear rough and raised, often with a small black dot in the center.
Flat warts: These are generally smaller and smoother but appear in greater numbers, from twenty to a hundred at a time. They commonly grow on the face of children and, depending on gender, on specific areas in adults. Men often have them at the base of beards, while women tend to develop them on the legs, possibly due to the spread from shaving.
Filiform warts: These are elongated protrusions that often appear on the neck or eyelids.
Plantar warts: These grow on the soles of the feet and are usually smoother. They can sink into the skin under the pressure of walking, sometimes causing pain and discomfort akin to having pebbles in one’s shoes.
Transmission:
Patients often feel that they are clean and hygienic, yet warts can still appear. Certain individuals are more prone to contracting wart viruses:
Those who frequently have facials, share towels, cosmetics, or undergo massages.
Those who often swim or do yoga, as their feet are more susceptible to infection.
Individuals with skin issues like eczema or breaks in the skin.
Those taking immunosuppressants which reduce their resistance.
Moreover, if a family member has warts and it goes unnoticed, sharing towels and cleaning products can also lead to infection.
How to treat warts (wart removal)?
Some warts do not require treatment. For example, 30% to 50% of common warts in children disappear on their own within six months. However, if warts cause trouble, pain, or spread rapidly, treatment is necessary. In adults, warts tend to be more stubborn and less likely to resolve spontaneously compared to children.
Our skin center offers different treatment options:
CO2 laser therapy: Vaporizes wart tissue; the cutting depth is deeper and more precise than scraping, promoting faster recovery and minimizing the risk of scars.
VBeam Perfecta pulsed dye laser: Targets the hemoglobin in the wart’s blood vessels, absorbing laser energy to heat and destroy the wart tissue.
| Type of Wart | Treatment Method |
|---|---|
| Common Warts | CO2 Laser, Surgical Removal |
| Flat Warts | CO2 Laser |
| Plantar Warts | Vbeam Laser Treatment, CO2 Laser |
| Genital Warts | Imiquimod, CO2 Laser |
| Mosaic Warts | CO2 Laser, Surgical Removal |
| Finger/Toe Warts | Vbeam Laser Treatment, CO2 Laser |
Post-treatment care for CO2 laser wart removal:
The recovery period for CO2 laser treatments generally lasts from seven to fourteen days, depending on the treated area. Post-treatment, the wound will be concave and will gradually form a scab and fall off. The skin beneath will be tender and pink. Avoid using skincare and cosmetic products before the scab forms, and do not scrape off the scab afterwards to avoid scarring. Skin color generally returns to normal within one to several months, depending on individual skin type and wound location.
* Consultation fee, filling out insurance claims form, the medication fee and subsequent follow up fees have been included in the treatment package.