Look Ma, No Warts!

WARTS ARE LOCAL growths in the skin caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) usually appearing on hands, feet, or fingers or on any other warm and moist body places. But other than that being uncomfortable or being a nuisance, these are generally harmless and may leave within a few months or years even. Warts are generally painless but on occasion, these may be itchy or painful especially when located on the soles of the feet.
        So how do you contract them? “Being a virus, warts are ubiquitous and difficult to eliminate from the environment,” says Dr. Coco Tiongson, dermatologist from the Skin Sanctuary. “A patient may be contaminated through skin to skin contact or fomites (beddings, towels, carpets, and others). Contamination depends on viral load or the amount of infective virus present in a lesion and a person’s
immune system.”
        Kids who often bite their fingernails or pick their hangnails are also prone to getting warts since they create lesions or open area for the virus to enter.
        Warts also take on different forms. These include the plane warts (verruca plana) which may be flesh-colored or darker than the normal skin. These lesions are dot-like elevations of the skin commonly found on the face and neck.  Other types of warts are the filiform warts (verruca filiformis) that have long, finger-like projections, and the common wart (verruca vulgaris), common on the hands and feet
and may look like a callus.
        Warts may have no symptoms.

Prevention
The key to preventing warts is through good and clean hygiene. But if you already have them, avoid passing them on to some other parts of your body.
        Here are several ways to thwart this skin disease from entering and spreading around your body:
 
        • Since warts thrive on moist and wet places, keep your hands and feet dry after washing. Make sure to use clean towels.
        • Avoid using towels that have already been used by family members who have warts.
        • Cuts and wounds are vulnerable to warts. Should you have them, wash them immediately and cover them.
        • If you drop by at public restrooms or showers, make sure you put on your sandals or slippers.
        • Wash your hands regularly.
        • If you have warts on one part of the body, avoid making contact with other parts to prevent spreading.
        • Avoid picking or touching warts. If, for whatever reason, you did, wash your hands after.

Cure and Treatment
Some warts respond to treatment and others don’t. Some just go away while others do not. And since in some cases they generally just disappear at one time or another, you may choose to just ignore them. But when your warts keep on interrupting your social life, go see a dermatologist. Dr. Tiongson suggests several ways to get rid of irritating warts.
 
        • Cryotherapy is the application of liquid nitrogen over the lesion. One or more treatments may be required. The downside to this treatment, however, is the sharp pain and blisters that may occur.
        • Salisylic acid is an application that thins out the lesion, but may not be thoroughly successful on eliminating it.
        • Imiquimod is a topical application that’s totally painless and advantageous. The cost of medication, however, may be expensive.
        • Trichloroacetic acid is the application of a chemical to induce peeling, thereby reducing thickness of the lesion.
        • Cautery is the use of a hyfrecator which causes ‘burning’ of the lesion. This results in elimination of existing lesions. One session may be enough to eliminate lane warts but more may be needed for common warts.
On the other hand, treating warts by sticking duct tape to your skin has variable results. Says Dr. Tiongson, “The length of time it takes for duct tape to take effect is not worth the wait compared to the efficacy of other treatments. It can be considered as an option but it is not recommended.” - Excel V. Dyquiangco

Where To Get Treatment
 
“Make sure to go to a board-certified dermatologist for treatment,” says Dr. Tiongson. “Look for the PDS (Philippine Dermatological Society) seal of excellence or ask if your dermatologist is a diplomate
or a fellow of the society.”
        Here are a few of the clinics you might want to visit:
 
• The Skin Sanctuary uses the cautery method in treating warts. This burns the lesions by way of a hyfrecator. Cost starts at P999 to P1999 per area. Call 9030368.
• The Belo Medical Group uses carbon dioxide laser for the removal of warts. According to Belo, this promotes less pain, less swelling, and less bleeding. Price starts at P168 per wart and P5,040 per area depending on the assessment of the doctor. Call 8192356 (819-BELO)
• Forever Flawless uses electrocautery in the treatment of warts. This is a medical procedure that applies high frequency current to particular areas of the body to eliminate unwanted tissues. The regular cost of removing warts on the face and neck is P5,000, but it depends on where the application of the treatment is. Call: 6879118 or 5846813 or email info@flawless.com.ph.
• Let’s Face It offers wart treatment for P435 for 25 warts. Branches are located in major malls in Metro Manila, and some parts of Luzon and Visayas. Log on to www.letsfaceit-spalon.com.