WART

BY: ANWAR ASYHRAFF BIN ABDUL AZIZ

 EARLY DIAGNOSIS
Warts are small, usually painless growths on
the skin caused by a virus called human
papillomavirus (HPV). They are generally
harmless. However, warts can be disfiguring
and embarrassing, and occasionally they itch
or hurt (particularly on the feet).
 TYPES OF WART
COMMON WART
Usually appear on the hands,
but can appear anywhere.
FLAT WART
Generally found on the face and
forehead. They are common in
children, less common in teens,
and rare in adults.
GENITAL WART
Usually found on the genitals, in the
pubic area, and in the area between the
thighs, but they can also appear inside
the vagina and anal canal.
PLANTAR WART
Are found on the soles of the feet.
SUBUNGUAL AND PERIUNGUAL WART
Appear under and around the fingernails or toenails.
 CAUSES,INCIDENCE
AND RISK FACTOR
The typical wart is a raised round or oval growth on the skin with
a rough surface. Compared with the surrounding normal skin,
warts may appear light, dark, or black (rare). Most adults are
familiar with the look of a typical wart and have little trouble
recognizing it. Unusual warts with smooth surfaces or flat warts
in children may be more difficult for parents to recognize.
Common warts tend to cause no discomfort unless they are in
areas of repeated friction or pressure. Plantar warts, for example,
can become extremely painful. Large numbers of plantar warts on
the foot may cause difficulty walking or running.
Some warts will disappear without treatment, although it can
sometimes take a couple of years. Treated or not, warts that go
away often reappear. All warts can spread from one part of your
own body to another.
Unsightly or painful warts can be treated. Warts around and
under your nails are much more difficult to cure than warts in
other places.
 SYMPTOMS
Abnormally dark or light skin surrounding the lesion.

Numerous small, smooth, flat (pinhead sized) lesions on forehead,

cheeks, arms, or legs.

Rough growths around or under fingernails or toenails.

Rough, round, or oval lesions on soles of feet -- flat to slightly raised --

painful to pressure.

Small, hard, flat or raised skin lesion or lump.

 SIGNS AND TEST
Warts can generally be
diagnosed simply by their
location and appearance. Your
doctor may want to cut into a
wart (called a biopsy) to
confirm that it is not a corn,
callus, skin cancer, or other
similar-appearing growth.
 TREATMENT
Over-the-counter medications can remove warts. These are applied to the
wart every day for several weeks. Do NOT use these medications on your
face or genitals. It helps to file the wart down when damp (for example, after
a bath or shower) before applying these medications. Do NOT treat warts
on your face or genitals yourself. See your health care provider.
Pain and pressure from plantar warts can be treated with special cushions
that are available at drug stores.

Your health care provider may use stronger (prescription) medications, such
as podophyllin or salicylic acid, for removal of persistent warts. Surgical
removal or removal by freezing (cryotherapy), burning (electrocautery), or
laser treatment may be needed.

Immunotherapy, done by injecting a substance that causes an allergic

reaction, may also be considered by your health care provider. A topical
medication called imiquimod may also be used.
A vaccine called Gardasil prevents infection against the strains of viruses
that often cause genital warts and cervical cancer in women.
Do NOT attempt to remove a wart yourself by burning, cutting, tearing,
picking, or any other method.
Salicylic Acid , Lactic Acid

Corn Caps
 TRADITIONAL
REMEDY
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil, derived from the leaves of the Australian tea tree, has powerful
antibacterial and antiviral properties that may help get rid of warts. A 2008 study
published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice examined
the use of tea tree oil on patients with hand warts. In the study, tea tree oil was
applied to the affected area once daily for 12 days. At the end of the treatment, the
warts were completely gone. To use at home, paint the wart with pure tea tree oil
once or twice a day as needed until the area has healed and the wart has
disappeared.
Garlic
Garlic, a powerful natural antibacterial and antifungal substance, may help
expedite the disappearance of warts. The University of Maryland Medical
Center recommends applying a raw garlic patch to the affected area once each
night for up to three weeks. Cover the wart with a thin layer of olive oil, and
then apply a thin slice of fresh garlic. Secure the patch in place with medical
tape, and allow it to remain overnight. Try adding a drop or two of tea tree oil
to the wart before covering with garlic for maximum benefit. The wart will turn
black as it begins to die, which may take several weeks.
Banana Peel
A traditional remedy for warts, banana peel may help get rid of the growths in a
few short weeks. In her book "The Herbal Drugstore," Linda B. White suggests
applying a banana peel poultice to the affected area. Cut a small circle out of the
banana peel, lay the inside directly against the wart, and then secure in place with
medical tape. Apply a fresh piece of banana peel every 24 hours until the wart
disappears completely. If necessary, you can use this as an overnight treatment
only, though it may take longer for the wart to dissolve.
Olive Leaf Extract
Made from the Mediterranean olive tree, olive leaf extract contains antiviral
compounds that may help get rid of warts. Bill Gottlieb, in his book "Alternative
Cures," recommends using a product that contains 17 to 23 percent oleuropein,
the herb's active ingredient, and following the dosage guidelines provided by
the manufacturer. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking
250 to 500 mg of the extract up to three times daily to get rid of warts.
 PROGNOSIS
Warts are generally harmless growths that often go
away on their own within 2 years. They can be
contagious, but transmission from person to
person is uncommon. Warts may be unsightly or
cause discomfort, especially on the feet.
 COMPLICATIONS
Spread of warts.

 Return of warts that disappeared.

 Minor scar formation if the wart is removed.

 Formation of keloids after removal

 PREVENTION
Avoid direct skin contact with a wart on someone else.

 After filing your wart, wash the file carefully since you can spread the
virus to other parts of your body.

After touching any of your warts, wash your hands carefully.

 REFERENCES
Warts, herpes simplex, and other viral infections. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical
Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 12.
Gibbs S, et al. Topical treatments for cutaneous warts. Cochrane Database
Syst Rev. 2006;(3):CD001781.
THANK YOU