General Information on Warts

Every year 3.5 million people are treated for warts, verruca or verrucae caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).  Clinical appearance of warts depends on the type of HPV causing the infection and location of the infection.  The immune system plays an important role in the expression of the human papillomavirus (HPV) causing warts.  Most common warts are in children and adolecents, but are also seen in adults.  Infection occurs from person to person, sexual contact and exposure to the virus in the environment.  About 40% of children can have resolution of their warts over several years time.  Some adults have regression of warts over time but to a lesser extent.  

Patients seek medical treatment for unsightly warts because of they are generally tender, painful and have considerable social stigma associated with these lesions on the face, hands, fingers, feet and genital or anal areas. 

Warts generally appear as small, fleshy, raised bumps, spiny or have a cauliflower like appearance in clusters and if picked on may bleed. 

Before:                                                    After: 

Treatments: 

Treatments for human papillomavirus (warts) include, cryotherapy, surgical removal, electrodessication, CO2, pulsed dye and other vascular lasers.  Chemical destruction with salicylic acid, podphyllin, cantharidin and immune modulators such as imiquimod (Aldara cream), Cimetidine (Tagamet) interferon, bleomycin and retinoids.  Wart treatment with these various methods of destruction will be discussed when you see the physician and the best approach can be outlined.

Dr. Caglia provides treatment of warts and wart removal to patients from  Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Southlake, Grapevine, Garland, Mesquite, Rockwall, White Rock and Fort Worth, Texas area.

What are Human Papillomaviruses (HPV)?

There are over more than 100 types of HPV that can infect humans.  Over 40 types of these can infect the genital organs (penis, vulva, testicular area) and anal area (anogenital warts) of both men and women. These are called venereal warts or condylomata acuminata.  There are several subtypes of HPV that can lead to precancerous changes in women of the cervix causing cervical cancer.  Because these viruses are transmitted sexually, the more partners you have with unprotected sex the greater your risk of developing infection.  Protected sex helps prevent this problem.  

There are two subsets of HPV that infect humans and develop infection of the anogenital tract that are divided into low risk and high risk for the development of cancer.  Types HPV-6 and HPV-11 are commonly associated lesions such as genital warts (low risk). Types HPV-16 and HPV-18 are found in most cervical and anogenital cancers (high risk).

Other types of HPV infect the skin and cause common warts of face, hands, feet (Plantar Warts) and fingers. 

Find out if you could benefit from Wart Removal Procedures and Wart Treatment.  Schedule your consultation with our practice today. 972-690-7070

[Page Last Edited on April 18, 2013]