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Warts or Verruca (the Latin word for warts), are beni gn, superficial
and usually noncancerous growths that appear on various parts of the
body such as the mouth, throat, surface areas of the skin, urethra, vagina (internal
and external), cervix, scrotum, anus, groin and upper thigh.
The Cause of warts is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and there are
approximately 100 different types that can cause infection. Three out
of four people having sex will have HPV, according to the American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Bot h sexes are affected and
there are various paths of transmission: One way is through sexual
contact. It is for this reason that HPV is called a sexually transmitted
disease or STD. The infection is spread from person to person during
vaginal, anal or oral sex. Direct contact with a wart that is located
above or below the waist can be transferred to another person on
whatever body surface is touched by the lesion. The virus enters
through a tiny break in the skin or tissue of the sexual organs.
For example, if someone has a wart on their mouth, this can be spread to
the other person’s genital areas by contact through oral sex. The
appearance of the genital wart is that of a slightly raised soft lesion.
It is likely to appear as one pimple, or in clusters, with the color of
flesh. The lesion is moist because of the warm dark environment of the
vagina and its secretions. These tiny small tumors also called
papillomas are nontender and vary in size. They can be small in size,
or can be so tiny that you cannot see them.
When the urethra is affected by these lesions, there can be some blood
in the urine, painful urination and changes in the urinary stream.
You may discover these lesions when you are bathing. You can visualize
the area by using a small mirror while you are sitting on the edge of
the tub and holding it slightly below the vagina. There should not be
any small blisters that are fluid –filled, or very painful,
because these are symptoms of a Herpes infection. Symptoms of allergic
reactions include an itchy, very red rash, and are not symptoms of a
warty viral lesion.
- Treatable and requires strict adherence to medication. It takes weeks to many months for eradication. Any wart that lingers after 6 mos. Should be seen by a dermatologist, and may need to be biopsied.
- Recurrent
- Very active and requires the avoidance of sexual contact
during treatment, and at least for 6 wks afterward.
- Wart growth may be stimulated by the use of oral
contraceptives, pregnancy or those with a weakened immune system.
- Stop smoking if you have HPV, because this may have some impact
on the development of cervical cancer.
- Cannot be treated with antibiotics.
- There is no permanent cure for HPV. Any wart that has resisted treatment for 6 months or longer, should have me dical attention and it may need to be biopsied.
Incubation period varies. This is defined as the duration of time that
lapses from when contact is made with an infected person, and the
appearance of the first wart. This period can be anywhere from one month
to 1 yr. Some people are called carriers and they never develop warts
but harbor the virus in their bodies. If you are single, and sexually
active, it is important to be tested for HPV. Condoms can help but may
not prevent skin contact from someone with warts.
It is important to get a Pap Smear which is the test used to diagnose
HPV. There are 30 strains of this virus that puts you at risk for cancer
of the cervix and penis. Types 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancers.
Types 6 and 11 cause 20-25% of vulvar cancers, and 60-65% of vaginal
cancer. The FDA has approved two tests that can diagnose those HPV
viruses that are high risk for cancer in patients by identifying their
viral DNA sequence. Ask your gynecologist for more information
regarding these tests.
Testing for other STD’s such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and
HIV, should also be carried out during this time.
Treatments for genital warts include Aldara, podophyllin, cauterization,
and other treatments initiated by a doctor. It is important to wear a
condom during and after treatment is finished, because even if the wart
is gone, it remains dormant in the affected person.
Flat warts can occur on the face at any age, on the legs in women and
the face in men,
which are common areas of shaving that cause small cuts on the skin.
These warts tend to be small, with a smooth texture. They are
flesh-colored, and number from a few to as many as 100 in one area
alone.
Treatment varies and retin-A, salicylic acid and other agents have been
used by doctors. These treatments require a prescription.
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Common warts that ap pear on the back of the hands are called palmar
warts. They can also grow on the fingers, or around the nails. They
are a different type from that of the HPV virus that causes genital
warts. These are small, but can grow larger and can have a rough or
smooth feeling to them. They can be skin colored or darker. Sometimes
they have black pinpoint areas at the tip of the wart which are cause by
tiny blood vessels under the skin.
Transmission of the virus can take place during the time that children
share toys, on the playground, on doorknobs, towels, or by shaking hands
with someone who has a wart.
It is possible that children are more susceptible to the virus because
of their immune systems are not fully developed. Nail biting is an
activity that causes damage to the area around it, and increases the
risk of viral infection. Frequent handwashing is a good way of
preventing spread of the virus. Use lotion on the skin regularly to
prevent cracking.
Treatments such as the application of duct tape, clear nail polish or
salicylic acid directly to warts are some of the current remedies.
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Plantar warts appear on the bottom of the foot. The warm dark areas of
the foot tends to allow the warts to spread. They are usually flat,
because walking on the soles of the feet tends to flatten them. They can
have a rough surface, are skin colored and vary in size.
It is important to avoid going barefoot which increases the chance of
superficial scrapes and cuts. Wear sneakers in the gym, and apply
lotion to the skin to prevent dryness and cracking.
There are various kinds of treatments on the market such as salicylic
acid solution, as well as laser surgery. Like any other treatment for
warts, these are not guaranteed to work all of the time.
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