Common Wart
Disease Details
Family Health Simplified
- Description
- A common wart is a small, grainy skin growth that typically appears on the fingers or hands, caused by a viral infection from the human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Type
- Common warts are caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are not transmitted genetically; instead, they spread through direct contact with the virus.
- Signs And Symptoms
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Common warts are small, grainy skin growths that typically appear on fingers or hands. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Signs and symptoms include:
- Small, fleshy, grainy bumps
- Rough to the touch
- Presence of black pinpoints, which are small, clotted blood vessels
- Typically painless, but can cause discomfort if located in areas subjected to pressure or friction.
Common warts can vary in size and color and may appear singly or in clusters. - Prognosis
- For common warts, the prognosis is generally favorable. These benign skin growths, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), often resolve on their own within months to a couple of years, especially in children. Treatment can speed up this process and prevent recurrence.
- Onset
- Common warts, or verruca vulgaris, are typically seen in children and young adults. The onset is usually gradual, occurring after several weeks to months following exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes the warts to form.
- Prevalence
- Common warts are quite prevalent and affect individuals worldwide. They are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and can occur in both children and adults. While exact prevalence rates can vary by study and population, it is estimated that up to 10% of the population may experience common warts at some point in their lives.
- Epidemiology
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Epidemiology of Common Warts:
Common warts, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), are highly prevalent worldwide. They occur in all age groups but are most frequent in children and young adults. The prevalence in school-aged children is approximately 10-20%. Warts are transmitted through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or infected individuals. They are more common in people with compromised immune systems or those frequently exposed to moisture, such as swimmers. The incidence can vary based on factors like geographic location and community hygiene practices. - Intractability
- Common warts are not generally considered intractable. They can often be effectively treated with over-the-counter remedies, prescription treatments, cryotherapy, or minor surgical procedures. However, some warts may be stubborn and persist despite treatment, requiring repeated or varied approaches.
- Disease Severity
- Common warts are generally considered to be of low severity. They are benign skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). While they can be unsightly and occasionally uncomfortable, they typically do not pose serious health risks.
- Healthcare Professionals
- Disease Ontology ID - DOID:11165
- Pathophysiology
- Common warts have a characteristic appearance under the microscope. They have thickening of the stratum corneum (hyperkeratosis), thickening of the stratum spinosum (acanthosis), thickening of the stratum granulosum, rete ridge elongation, and large blood vessels at the dermoepidermal junction.
- Carrier Status
- Common warts, caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), do not have a concept of "carrier status" in the same way some other diseases do. They are spread through direct contact with the virus, which can occur via skin-to-skin contact or through contact with contaminated surfaces.
- Mechanism
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Common warts, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), are benign skin growths. The virus enters the skin through tiny cuts or abrasions and infects the basal layer of the epidermis.
**Mechanism:**
1. *Viral Entry*: HPV enters the skin through microabrasions.
2. *Infection*: The virus invades keratinocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis.
3. *Proliferation*: Infected cells proliferate, leading to hyperkeratosis and the formation of the wart.
**Molecular Mechanisms:**
1. *E6 and E7 Proteins*: HPV's E6 and E7 oncoproteins inactivate tumor suppressor proteins p53 and retinoblastoma protein (pRb), respectively, disrupting normal cell cycle control.
2. *Immune Evasion*: The virus evades the immune system by downregulating antigen presentation and dampening the host's immune response, allowing persistent infection.
3. *Cell Proliferation*: The disruption of normal cell cycle regulation results in increased cell division and the characteristic thickened lesions of common warts.
These factors contribute to the development and persistence of common warts. - Treatment
- There are many treatments and procedures associated with wart removal. A review of various skin wart treatments concluded that topical treatments containing salicylic acid were more effective than placebo. Cryotherapy appears to be as effective as salicylic acid, but there have been fewer trials.
- Compassionate Use Treatment
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Compassionate use and experimental treatments for common warts might include:
1. **Cimetidine**: Though primarily an H2-antagonist for treating ulcers, it has been used off-label for its immunomodulatory effects that may aid in wart resolution.
2. **Intralesional immunotherapy**: This involves injecting antigens like Candida or mumps into the wart to stimulate an immune response.
3. **HPV Vaccines**: While primarily used for prevention, there is some investigation into their therapeutic potential for existing warts.
4. **Topical Immunotherapy**: Imiquimod, an immune response modifier, although usually used for conditions like actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma, has been used off-label for warts.
5. **Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)**: This involves using light-activated compounds which may help in reducing wart growth.
6. **Retinoids**: Topical retinoids, commonly used for acne, can sometimes be used off-label for warts due to their modulation of skin cell growth.
These treatments are considered when standard methods such as salicylic acid or cryotherapy are ineffective. Always consult with a healthcare provider before pursuing these options. - Lifestyle Recommendations
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For common warts:
### Lifestyle Recommendations:
1. **Avoid Touching**: Refrain from picking or scratching warts to prevent spreading the virus to other parts of your body or to other people.
2. **Keep Skin Clean**: Maintain good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and keeping the affected area clean and dry.
3. **Use Personal Items**: Avoid sharing towels, razors, or other personal items to prevent transmission.
4. **Protect Skin**: Cover warts with a bandage or medical tape to minimize the chance of spreading the virus.
5. **Moisturize Skin**: Keep your skin moisturized to prevent cracks and openings where the virus can enter.
6. **Healthy Diet**: Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support your immune system.
7. **Healthy Habits**: Avoid smoking and manage stress to maintain a robust immune response.
### Nan:
This input seems incomplete or unclear for the context of warts. Please clarify if you need specific information related to nanotechnologies or other details. - Medication
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Salicylic acid can be prescribed by a dermatologist in a higher concentration than that found in over-the-counter products. Several over-the-counter products are readily available at pharmacies and supermarkets of roughly two types: adhesive pads treated with salicylic acid, and bottled concentrated salicylic acid and lactic acid solution.
Fluorouracil — Fluorouracil cream, a chemotherapy agent sometimes used to treat skin cancer, can be used on particularly resistant warts, by blocking viral DNA and RNA production and repair.
Imiquimod is a topical cream that helps the body's immune system fight the wart virus by encouraging interferon production. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for genital warts.
Cantharidin, found naturally in the bodies of many members of the beetle family Meloidae, causes dermal blistering. It is used either by itself or compounded with podophyllin. Not FDA approved, but available through Canada or select US compounding pharmacies.
Bleomycin — A more potent chemotherapy drug, can be injected into deep warts, destroying the viral DNA or RNA. Bleomycin is notably not US FDA approved for this purpose. Possible side effects include necrosis of the digits, nail loss and Raynaud syndrome. The usual treatment is one or two injections.
Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), like salicylic acid, is applied directly to the wart. Studies show this method is effective with a cure rate of 80%. But DNCB must be used much more cautiously than salicylic acid; the chemical is known to cause genetic mutations, so it must be administered by a physician. This drug induces an allergic immune response, resulting in inflammation that wards off the wart-causing virus.
Cidofovir is an antiviral drug which is injected into HPV lesions within the larynx (laryngeal papillomatosis) as an experimental treatment.
Verrutop verruca treatment is a topical solution made from a combination of organic acids, inorganic acids, and metal ions. This solution causes the production of nitrites, which act to denature viral proteins and mummify the wart tissue. The difference between Verrutop and other acid treatments is that it does not damage the surrounding skin.
Another product available over-the-counter that can aid in wart removal is silver nitrate in the form of a caustic pencil, which is also available at drug stores. In a placebo-controlled study of 70 patients, silver nitrate given over nine days resulted in clearance of all warts in 43% and improvement in warts in 26% one month after treatment compared to 11% and 14%, respectively, in the placebo group. The instructions must be followed to minimize staining of skin and clothing. Occasionally, pigmented scars may develop.
Trichloroacetic acid can be used to treat warts if salicylic acid or cryotherapy fail or are not available. It requires repeat treatments every week or so. Side effects are burning and stinging. - Repurposable Drugs
- There are no well-established repurposable drugs specifically for common warts (caused by human papillomavirus, HPV). Common treatments include salicylic acid, cryotherapy, and other topical treatments. Some studies have investigated potential repurposable drugs, but their use in clinical settings for common warts remains limited and not widely endorsed.
- Metabolites
- Common warts primarily exhibit metabolic activity typical of infected keratinocytes, but there are no specific unique metabolites directly associated with the wart tissue itself. The human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes common warts, may influence cellular metabolism, but specific markers are not typically highlighted in standard clinical literature.
- Nutraceuticals
- There are no widely accepted or scientifically validated nutraceuticals specifically for common warts. Treatment primarily involves topical salicylic acid, cryotherapy, or other dermatological procedures. Always consult a healthcare provider before using any supplements or alternative therapies.
- Peptides
- Common warts, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), have peptide-based treatments under investigation. These treatments involve using synthetic or naturally occurring peptides to stimulate the immune response against HPV-infected cells. For "nan" or nanotechnology, researchers are exploring the use of nanoparticles to deliver antiviral agents directly to the site of the infection, enhancing treatment efficacy and minimizing side effects.