Warts

It is a contagious condition transmitted either by direct contact of the infected areas (e.g. handshake), or more commonly, by contact of infected shared objects. For the plantar warts, transmission occurs usually from the floor on which infected people walk with bare feet (gyms, swimming pools, etc.), but also through shared pedicure items (mainly rasps that cannot be put into a sterilization furnace). The palmar warts are transmitted through the use of shared objects (gym equipment handles, toys, remote controls, pencils, etc.). It should be noted that the transmission is facilitated by a small scratch on the skin, so we especially avoid micro-cuts and be careful where we step (or when trying on shoes) after a recent pedicure. They can also be transmitted if we scratch them, from one part of the body to another. The incubation period for warts is about four months, but they can appear much earlier.

In addition to common warts, there are also the flat warts (3, 10, 28, 49 HPV types) that are found as flat lesions on the face and neck and in men who shave they quickly spread to adjacent areas.

After transmission, the HPV virus is likely to remain latent in the body, so despite treatment, warts often recur (relapse), depending on the individual’s immune system.

The dermatologist easily makes the diagnosis of warts. Sometimes gentle scratching of the surface of the wart is required in order to reveal the characteristic black spots (and/or  microbleeding).

Depending on the size and type of lesions, the dermatologist chooses one of the following removal methods:

• Cryosurgery (cryocoagulation) with liquid nitrogen
• Diathermocoagulation (rhizolysis or rhizotomy)
• Topical treatment with collodion, salicylic and lactic acid, trichloroacetate and imiquimod.
• Laser CO₂

For young children, we recommend local treatments. For older children who can cooperate the usual treatment methods can be applied under local anesthetic. For the adults who have plantar or large warts, we recommend preparation with a keratolytic solution and then we apply the method indicated according to the case. In flat, facial warts, we are particularly careful not to leave any discoloration or other mark from the treatment method, while sometimes we recommend topical treatment with retinoids for several weeks (especially in children).

We advise people with warts not to share personal items that may transmit the skin condition (towels, shoes, gloves, etc.) with others. In order to prevent the transmission to members of their family who share the same bathroom, it is advisable to use flip-flops in the shower.

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