WARTS (VERRUCA)

COMMON AND PLANTAR WARTS (VERRUCA VULGARIS & VERRUCA PLANTARIS)

Warts are benign viral skin growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Common warts may occur on many areas of the body, while plantar warts develop on the soles of the feet and can become painful because of pressure during standing and walking.

Many warts eventually resolve as the immune system recognizes and suppresses the infection. Others may persist for months or years, increase in number, spread to other areas, or recur after treatment.

Treatment is directed at removing visible wart tissue and promoting clearance of the lesions. No treatment guarantees elimination of HPV from the surrounding skin or prevents future recurrence.

TREATMENT APPROACH FOR COMMON AND PLANTAR WARTS

Treatment of common and plantar warts depends on the location, depth, number of lesions, duration, symptoms, and response to previous treatment.

Treatment generally involves either destruction of visible wart tissue or prescription topical therapy directed at the lesions and local viral activity.

DESTRUCTIVE THERAPIES

Destructive treatment removes or destroys visible wart tissue, but does not guarantee elimination of HPV from surrounding skin.

Complete surgical excision is generally avoided for common and plantar warts. Deep warts, particularly on the hands and feet, can extend into areas where preservation of normal tissue is important. Surgical removal can produce a larger wound or scar, while residual viral infection can result in recurrent or new wart growth around the treatment site.

Laser destruction provides controlled removal of visible wart tissue and can be useful for persistent, deep, or treatment-resistant lesions. Treatment does not eradicate HPV from surrounding skin, and recurrence remains possible.

Multiple treatment sessions may be required, particularly for deep plantar warts, longstanding lesions, and previously treated warts.

PRESCRIPTION TOPICAL THERAPY

Prescription topical medications used at IVSI for common and plantar warts are off-label therapies selected according to the type, location, thickness, and behavior of the lesions.

These treatments are intended to suppress wart tissue, alter local viral activity, or stimulate a local treatment response. Therapy commonly requires repeated application over an extended period, and response varies among individual lesions.

Topical therapy can also be combined with procedural treatment for persistent or treatment-resistant warts.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Warts can spread through direct contact and autoinoculation
Scratching, shaving, picking, and other trauma can contribute to spread
Recurrence can occur after treatment
Resistant or extensive warts often require repeated or combined treatment

FLAT WARTS (VERRUCA PLANA)

Flat warts are small, smooth, minimally elevated viral lesions that often occur in larger numbers. They commonly affect the face, neck, arms, hands, or legs and may be skin-colored, pink, tan, or light brown.

Because of their subtle appearance, flat warts can resemble freckles, sun-related pigmentation, seborrheic keratoses, or other benign skin lesions.

Shaving and repeated trauma can contribute to linear spread of flat warts across the skin.

Treatment is based on the number, location, persistence, and tendency of the lesions to spread.

GENITAL WARTS (ANOGENITAL HPV INFECTION)

Genital warts are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and affect the skin and mucous membranes of the genital and anal regions.

Anogenital HPV infection is very common. Many sexually active individuals are exposed to HPV during their lifetime, and infection frequently produces no recognizable symptoms.

HPV is transmitted primarily through direct skin-to-skin sexual contact. Because HPV can remain clinically silent for prolonged periods, the presence of genital warts does not establish when the infection was acquired or from whom it was transmitted.

Genital warts may appear as:

Small, flat or raised growths
Flesh-colored, pink, or slightly pigmented lesions
Single lesions or clusters of multiple growths
Smooth, papular, or cauliflower-like growths

They may be asymptomatic or produce itching, irritation, discomfort, or bleeding.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR GENITAL WARTS

Treatment is based on the number, size, location, distribution, persistence, and previous treatment response of the lesions.

PRESCRIPTION TOPICAL THERAPY

Prescription topical medications can be used to treat genital warts. Treatment requires consistent application over time, and response varies according to the number, size, and location of the lesions.

Topical therapy may be used alone or in combination with procedural treatment, particularly when multiple or recurrent lesions are present.

PROCEDURAL TREATMENT

Procedural treatment available at IVSI includes:

CO₂ laser destruction or laser-assisted removal
Surgical removal of selected lesions
Provider-applied topical treatment

For some patients, prescription topical therapy and procedural treatment are combined as part of the treatment plan.

Treatment removes or suppresses visible lesions but does not guarantee elimination of HPV from surrounding skin. Recurrence or development of additional lesions can occur after treatment.

IVSI does not offer cryotherapy, electrodesiccation, or infrared coagulation for genital warts.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Genital warts can spread through direct skin-to-skin contact
Recurrence can occur after treatment
Multiple or recurrent lesions may require repeated or combined treatment
Not all genital HPV infections produce visible warts

Evaluate Persistent or Recurrent Warts

IVSI evaluates and treats common, plantar, flat, and genital warts. Treatment is based on the type, location, extent, and behavior of the lesions and response to previous treatment.

📞 Call (847) 518-9999 to schedule a dermatology evaluation.

Medical Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical evaluation. Treatment recommendations depend on clinical findings, diagnostic requirements, and patient-specific factors. Outcomes may vary, and no specific medical result can be guaranteed.

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