WARTS

Sub types

• Warts: These may be plain or raised lesions on the skin. A virus beneath the epidermis causing more rapid skin turnover.
• Verruca: A wart on the feet - pushed flat by the patients own body weight.

Danger signs

• Genital / anal warts. Generally best to visit GU clinic.

Notes for children

• Warts/verrucae often cause disproportionate upset at school with children being excluded from swimming or sporting activities. There is little evidence that wart virus is spread via chlorated water or cold changing room floors. However a stock of "remica socks"/occlusive dressings may be needed to allow a child to continue sport/swimming at school.

General advice

• Over 90% of warts disappear in 3 years leaving no trace.
• All active treatment may scar.
• Visit to chiropodist or GP for Liquid N treatment or Electrocautery, if considered worthwhile.

Therapy

• Keratolitics. Creams/in collodion/with or without occlusion.
• Abrasion of raised surface to improve cosmetic appearance.

Dictionary

Keratolysis: separation or loosening of the horny layer of the epidermis characterised by a shedding of the epidemis recurring at more or less regular intervals.

More Information