Warts

What causes warts?

Warts (medically referred to as verruca or verruca vulgaris) are a very common growth caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) infecting the skin. There are over 150 types of the HPV virus with only some of the viral strands being capable of infecting the skin. Warts are spread by direct skin-to-skin contact or auto-inoculation from aggressively scratching the skin. 

Are warts dangerous?

A common wart of the skin causes no particular threat to your health. Since common warts are not dangerous, they do not require therapy, although therapy is certainly justified to reduce symptoms from the warts and reduce the risk of spreading. Warts in certain locations such as on the genitals may be due to specific strains of the virus that can lead to cervical or anal cancers. The HPV vaccine can protect against these particular strains. 

How are warts treated?

There are probably more treatments for warts than for any other condition we see as dermatologists. Treatments include freezing them with liquid nitrogen, injections with substances that either destroy the wart virus or promote an immune response, use of topical medications, and use of oral supplements to promote the body's immune system. No treatment is universally effective in eliminating warts and multiple treatments are usually required to get rid of warts. 

Will my warts go away on their own? 

The good news is that most warts will eventually resolve on their own. Approximately 50% of warts will disappear within 6 months and 90% within 2 years. The wart virus has evolved to be very good at hiding from the body's immune system which is why it can take so long for the body to get rid of them. A dermatologist's role is to help speed up the process through treatments that both destroy the wart and increase the body's ability to find the wart virus. Treatments can reduce the pain and discomfort caused by warts and reduce the risk of spread.