The Derma Corner: The 101 on warts, potential treatments, and how to avoid them
Since I became a dermatologist, there have only been two topics that strangers consistently ask me when they find out what I do for a living. The first one is all about achieving that smooth and younger-looking skin, and the second one is about warts. For today, let me discuss the latter!
Warts are mostly skin- or dark-colored growths on the skin caused by a virus, the Human Papillomavirus. And just like the flu, this virus has several strains. They are infectious and most strains are spread by contact while some can be transmitted sexually. More often than not, warts will resolve and go away eventually in anyone who has a healthy immune system. Some people, however, can easily get the virus especially when there’s a break in the skin or when they have a weak immune system.
There are different types of warts. They are classified by their location and what they look like:
Common warts are the usual rough and bumpy kind frequently seen on the hands but can also be located anywhere. A kind of common wart, the periungual wart, is quite difficult to treat because they invade the area of your skin surrounding nails.
Flat warts are called that because they’re small and flat. They can appear anywhere on the body, even the trunk, arms or legs. They are smoother and smaller in comparison to the common warts.
Plantar warts are found on the soles of your feet. Instead of producing an outgrowth on the skin, they grow inwards because of the constant pressure of walking so they appear flat. They can be commonly mistaken sometimes for corns and calluses.
Filiform warts are little, tall protrusions from the skin that look like skin tags. I see them more often on the face, especially around the eyes, than anywhere else on the body.
Genital warts are a kind of sexually transmitted infection that appears in the genital area. They don’t feel rough but rather have a smooth surface/appearance.
Dermatologists may provide several options on how to remove them base on the type of wart, the location, the number and the patient’s preference. The most common procedures to remove a wart is thru cautery or cryotherapy. Cautery involves the use of heat from electricity while cryotherapy uses cold temperature to freeze the wart, both of which will destroy them. They are always done in a clinical setting and would need an anesthetic to be applied beforehand on the area that will be treated.
Aside from these, there are also chemical peels, surgical removal, laser treatment, or topical medications like imiquimod. Even if your dermatologist has succeeded in removing them, it doesn’t mean they can’t return because they can - there’s really no cure for warts.
Now here’s some advice on how you can avoid contracting warts and prevent them from spreading:
If you have warts, avoid touching and picking on them because you risk spreading the virus. Same goes for when you have warts on your fingers and you have a habit of biting at your nails.
Observe proper hygiene. Make sure to wash your hands often especially if you’ve been touching the faces and hands of other people.
Avoid sharing towels, washcloths, razors and personal belongings with others even if they are family members or close friends, and that includes makeup and skincare tools.
Always wear some footwear when in pools, resorts and public showers. The virus loves warm, humid and moist areas and it can easily infect your soles when the skin has been softened by moisture.
Avoid any procedures like facials, dermabrasion, or diamond peels if you have warts on your face. Make sure that they’ve been removed first before you undergo any of these procedures because these can make your skin vulnerable to the virus, causing it to spread across your skin faster.
If you have had any burning questions about warts, I hope I’ve answered them but if you have more to ask, remember - it’s best to consult with a board-certified dermatologist.
Until my next article, stay safe everyone!
Dr. Nikki Paderna is currently available for online consultations thru the HealthNow app on Google Play for Android devices and on the Apple store for iOS devices, or thru the FB page, Vivestrata Dermatology Clinic.
