About Warts
A wart is a benign neoplasm of epidermal cells caused by infection with certain strains of human papillomaviruses (HPV). The have a verrucous or “warty’ appearance that results from epidermal thickening, scale, and prominence of the dermal papillae. Warts are common in children and young adults. They often occur at places of trauma and minor skin injury, such as hands, feet, knees and elbows.
Sexually active adults may have genital warts, which are caused by a different strain of the human papillomavirus than warts that occur on the hands and feet. There are a number of varieties of warts that can be distinguished based on physical exam. Warts can also be distibguised by serotype.
Common wart (verruca vulgaris)
The common wart is a flesh-colored, scaling papule. It interrupts skin lines and has black puncta. They commonly occur on the hands and digits. Groups of warts may be found, sometimes in linear arrangements; this is the result of autoinnoculation (infecting oneself).
Flat wart
A flat wart is a minimally raised, flesh-colored, reddish or brown papule. They are typically found on the hands and face, and multiple lesions are often present.
Plantar wart
Plantar warts are densely callused lesions that occur on the plantar (bottom) aspect of the foot; the “warty” nature can be best visualized by paring down the callus. They are often painful.
Condyloma acuminatum
These are genital warts, also sometimes called venereal warts. They affect the external genitalia, perineal region, inguinal folds, and sometimes the vagina or urethra. Lesions appear as fleshy moist papules with a classic verrucous appearance.
With what can a wart be confused?
The differential diagnosis for a wart depends on the type of wart. A common wart is usually easily diagnosed based on clinical appearance. It can resemble a corn. Non-healing, crusted or ulcerated lesions should prompt suspicion of squamous cell carcinoma. A flat wart, when reddish, can occasionally be confused with the purple lesions of lichen planus. They can also be confused with stucco keratoses on the lower extremities. Plantar warts can easily be confused with a corn. Condyloma acuminatum, genital warts, must be distinguished from condyloma lata (a lesion of secondary syphilis), and from squamous cell carcinoma and bowenoid papulosis (a form of in situ squamous cell carcinoma).
How is a wart diagnosed?
Most warts are diagnosed clinically; biopsy is usually not warranted.
How is a wart treated?
The treatment for a wart is physical, chemical or biological destruction of the infected epidermal cells of the lesion.
Physcial therapies for warts
The most commonly employed physical modalities are liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, electrodessication and curretage, surgical excision, and laser ablation.
Laser destruction, often with a laser that targets the wart’s blood supply such as a pulsed dye laser, is a commonly used treatment, as is ablation with a CO2 laser.
Chemodestructive agents can be applied by a physician in the office or by the patient at home. Common warts can be treated with trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, and cantharidin. Plantar warts are best treated with salicylic acid. Condyloma acuminatum can be treated with topical podophyllin, but this agent is very toxic and its use is not preferred. A less-toxic derivative, podofilox, is available for home use as Condylox. Flat warts often respond to retinoids (Retin-A). Resistant warts may respond to the chemotheraputic agent bleomycin, interferon, or 5-flurouracil, either topically or intralesionally (or very rarely systemically).
Duct tape, usually applied in cycles of six days on, one day off, has been reported to be effective as well, presumably through irritation and destruction.
Biological/Immune Stimulating
Biological approaches stimulate a host immune response to the viral infection and eradication of the infected cells. Imiquimod (Aldara) is the agent most commonly used in this fashion, and has shown good results when used for up to 16 weeks.
Elicitation of contact dermatitis by other means, such as poison ivy resin or squaric acid, is also used. Squaric acid dibutyl ester (SADBE) can elicit an immune reaction in sensitized individuals. Sensitization can be achieved by application of 2% squaric acid to the arm. Following sensitization, 0.2% squaric acid can be applied several times weekly at home.
Intralesional candida may be helpful for resistant warts, but can be uncomfortable. A minimum of three cycles is recommended if no efficacy is noted, and six cycles if partial efficacy is noted.
Oral cimetidine has been reported to be helpful in treating difficult warts. Treatment with cimetidine for warts requires six to 12 weeks.
What is the prognosis for a wart?
Probably the majority of warts regress spontaneously within two years, and approximately 80% can be cured with treatment. Scarring may occur as a result of physical destruction or surgical excision.
Certain strains of HPV are linked to the development of cervical cancer, but these are not the strains that cause skin warts; there is now a vaccine available for the prevention of infection with certain strains of HPV.
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