W–X

wart A growth, typically rough and raised, that
appears on the SKIN. The HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS
(HPV), which has numerous strains, causes com-
mon warts as well as variations including genital
warts (a common sexually transmitted disease)
and plantar warts which appear on the soles
(plantar surfaces) of the feet. Because common
warts are viral, physical contact can spread them
to other locations on the affected person’s body.
However, common warts rarely spread to other
people.

Symptoms and Diagnostic Path
Most common warts begin with a small, rough,
raised bumps that can be the same color as the
surrounding skin or discolored (typically pale). As
they grow they take on the characteristic appear-
ance of warts. Small dark dots sometimes appear
inside the wart, which are clotted blood vessels
though people commonly call them wart seeds.
The “seed” of the wart is the HPV, and it is not vis-
ible. Warts seldom hurt or itch, though may do
either as well as bleed when they are in locations
that expose them to frequent irritation.

Treatment Options and Outlook

From a medical perspective, warts are harmless
and do not require treatment. Because common
warts continue to spread, however, it is prudent to
remove them when they are small and few.
Though the health consequence of warts is prima-
rily cosmetic, warts that cluster in areas such as
around the fingertips can create functional inter-
ference. Common therapies the dermatologist may
use for removing warts include

• cryotherapy, such as treatment with liquid
  nitrogen, which freezes the wart
  
  
  • electrodesiccation, which cauterizes or burns
    off the wart
  
  
  • cantharidin, a topical chemical solution that
    forms a BLISTERwhich raises the wart from the
    skin
  
  
  
  


• topical salicylic acid, which chemically destroys
  the wart

Surgical remedies such as excision or laser ther-

apy are effective and may be necessary for warts

that resist other efforts, though they have substan-

tially greater risks, including INFECTIONand scar-

ring. Oddly enough, an application of duct tape

over the wart appears as successful as any other

therapy for causing common warts to resolve.

Most over-the-counter products for wart removal

require multiple applications though are ulti-

mately successful for those who are patient.

Because they are viral, common warts tend to

recur for as long as the HPV remains in the body,

and HPV is extraordinarily difficult to eradicate.

Risk Factors and Preventive Measures

The risk factor for common warts is exposure to

HPV, which is pervasive. Preventive measures

include frequent and regular HAND WASHINGand

refraining from picking at or scratching existing

warts. Prompt treatment to remove warts while

they are small and restricted to a fairly contained

area helps to limit their spread.

See also SCAR; SEBORRHEIC KERATOSIS; SEXUALLY

TRANSMITTED DISEASE(STD) PREVENTION; VIRUS.

wheal A raised, blisterlike LESIONon the SKINthat

usually results from an intradermal injection such

as for allergy skin testing or the tuberculin skin

test. Wheals also may occur in response to insect

stings and topical allergic reactions (URTICARIAor

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