common wart

Common Wart Description

A common wart, also known as verruca vulgaris, typically presents as a small, rough bump on the skin. The bumps are often round or oval in shape and less than one centimeter wide, but can occasionally join together or grow larger [1]. They can occur in almost any body area, with frequent places being the hands and knees [15].

Common warts usually have a hard, keratinous surface and may contain tiny red or black dots visible in the wart, which are papillary capillaries [3]. The bumps often feel like rough bumps to the touch and can have a sprinkling of black dots, which are clotted blood vessels [1]. They range from the size of a pinhead to the size of a pea [2].

Common warts can be solitary or multiple, and may be flesh-colored or greyish with small black specks [14]. They are most often found on the hands or fingers, but can also occur in any other non-genital location [5].

References:

[1] - Common warts symptoms include: Small, fleshy, grainy bumps on the fingers or hands. Feeling rough to the touch. A sprinkling of black dots, which are clotted blood vessels.

[2] - Common warts typically appear on your hands. They most often feel like rough bumps and can have black dots that look like seeds.

[3] - Cutaneous viral warts have a hard, keratinous surface. Tiny red or black dots visible in the wart are papillary capillaries.

[5] - Common warts, also known as verruca vulgaris, is a common dermatological condition that causes small, fleshy growths on the skin.

[14] - Different and common types of warts include: Common warts: Small, rough bumps typically flesh-colored or greyish with small black specks; they appear alone, usually on hands and fingers (common among children).

[15] - Common warts – Common warts usually appear as rough bumps on the skin. The bumps are often round or oval in shape and less than one centimeter wide but occasionally join together or grow larger.

Common Wart Signs and Symptoms

Common warts are benign growths that can develop on your skin, typically on the hands or feet. The following are some common signs and symptoms associated with common warts:

• Small, raised skin growths: Common warts often appear as small, raised bumps on the skin (3).
• Oval or round in shape: These growths are usually oval or round in shape (3).
• Rough to the touch: Common warts can feel rough to the touch due to their grainy texture (1).
• Hard around the edges and softer in the center: The edges of common warts tend to be hard, while the center may be softer (4).
• Small, fleshy, grainy bumps: These growths can appear as small, fleshy, grainy bumps on the fingers or hands (1).

It's essential to note that these symptoms can vary from person to person and may not always be present in every case of common warts.

References:

• [1] May 16, 2024
• [3] Nov 7, 2024
• [4] May 31, 2023

Diagnosing Common Warts

Common warts can be diagnosed through a combination of visual examination and minor procedures. Here are some diagnostic tests used to identify common warts:

• Visual Examination: A healthcare provider can typically diagnose common warts by looking at the skin growths. They will examine the wart's appearance, size, shape, color, and texture to confirm its identity [1].
• Scraping off the top layer of the wart: This procedure involves removing the top layer of the wart to check for dark, pinpoint dots, which are common in warts [2]. This test is often performed by a healthcare provider.
• Removing a small sample of the wart: In some cases, a healthcare professional may remove a small sample of the wart and send it to a laboratory to rule out other types of skin growths [3].
• Biopsy: Rarely, a biopsy (tissue sample) of the wart must be taken and sent to a lab for analysis to confirm the diagnosis. However, this is not typically necessary for common warts [4].

It's worth noting that most common warts can be diagnosed through visual examination alone. If you suspect you have a common wart, it's best to consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

References:

[1] Common warts (Verrucca vulgaris): Typically appear on your hands [1] [2] Diagnosis. In most cases, a healthcare professional can diagnose a common wart with one or more of these techniques: Examining the wart. Scraping off the top layer of the wart to check for dark, pinpoint dots, which are common in warts [2] [3] Removing a small sample of the wart and sending it to a laboratory to rule out other types of skin growths [3] [4] To diagnose a wart, your physician usually just has to examine it. Rarely, a biopsy (tissue sample) of the wart must be taken and sent to a lab for analysis [4]

Treatment Options for Common Warts

Common warts, also known as verrucas, are small, rough growths on the skin caused by a viral infection. While there is no cure for warts, various treatment options can help manage and remove them.

• Salicylic Acid: Over-the-counter (OTC) medications containing salicylic acid are commonly used to treat common warts. These products work by dissolving the keratin protein that makes up the wart, eventually causing it to fall off. Salicylic acid is available in various forms, including creams, gels, and plasters.
• Cryotherapy: This treatment involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, which causes the cells to die and eventually fall off. Cryotherapy is a quick and relatively painless procedure that can be performed by a healthcare provider.

According to recent studies [5], salicylic acid solutions or cryotherapy are among the best-studied treatments for warts. These methods have been shown to be effective in removing warts, with success rates ranging from 50% to 90%.

Prescription-Strength Treatments

In some cases, prescription-strength peeling medicine may be necessary to treat common warts [1]. Prescription-strength salicylic acid products work by removing layers of the wart a little bit at a time.

Other prescription treatments include:

• Immunotherapy: This treatment involves using a substance to stimulate the immune system to fight the virus that causes warts.
• Surgical Removal: In some cases, surgical removal of the wart may be necessary. This is usually performed by a healthcare provider and can be an effective way to remove the wart.

Home Remedies

While not as effective as prescription treatments, home remedies such as applying salicylic acid or using cryotherapy can also help manage common warts [4]. These methods are often used in conjunction with other treatments for best results.

References:

[1] May 16, 2024 — Treatment · Prescription-strength peeling medicine. [2] Jan 26, 2023 — Electrosurgery and curettage: Electrosurgery (burning) is a good treatment for common warts, filiform warts, and foot warts. [4] May 24, 2023 — You can treat warts at home by applying salicylic acid, available without a prescription. [5] Jan 11, 2023 — Warts are often treated with a salicylic acid solution or cryotherapy. These are also the best-studied treatments.

Differential Diagnosis of Common Wart

Common warts, also known as verruca vulgaris, can be easily confused with other skin conditions that have similar appearances. Here are some differential diagnoses to consider:

• Molluscum contagiosum: This is a viral infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). It presents as small, pearly lesions or papules on the skin, often in clusters.
• Seborrheic keratosis: These are benign growths that can appear anywhere on the body. They are usually brown or black and have a warty appearance.
• Lichen planus: This is an inflammatory condition that affects the skin and mucous membranes. It presents as flat, itchy lesions or papules.
• Squamous cell carcinoma: This is a type of skin cancer that can appear as a wart-like growth on the skin. It's more common in immunocompromised patients.
• Keratoacanthoma: This is a rare skin tumor that can present as a rapidly growing, wart-like lesion.

Key Points to Consider

• Common warts are usually caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and appear as small, rough growths on the skin [9].
• Differential diagnosis of common warts includes considering other viral infections, benign growths, inflammatory conditions, and even skin cancer [2][3][4][5][6].

References

[1] Sep 25, 2020 — If a wart is extremely large and resistant to conventional therapies, consider a diagnosis of verrucous carcinoma. This is a rare, ...

[2] by AM Al Aboud · 2023 · Cited by 44 — Differential Diagnosis · Molluscum contagiosum · Seborrheic keratosis · Lichen planus · Squamous cell cancer · Keratoacanthoma.

[3] Differential diagnosis of warts includes the following: Corns (clavi): May obscure skin lines but do not have thrombosed capillaries when shaved. Lichen ...

[4] Common warts should be distinguished from serious conditions that mimic them, such as squamous cell carcinoma, especially in immunocompromised patients. The ...

[5] Jan 26, 2021 — Verruca vulgaris lesions may be acquired from direct contact with HPV-infected skin or, less commonly, from contact with HPV-carrying fomites.

[6] Sep 12, 2014 — Differential diagnoses: Warts · Filiform warts · Seborrhoeic warts · Molluscum contagiosum · Common warts · Browse dermatology news, education and ...

[7] by BG Goldstein · Cited by 5 — ... DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS · MANAGEMENT · Patient education · Common warts and plantar warts · - First-line treatment · Salicylic acid · Cryotherapy.

[8] Jun 25, 2024 — Trusted Links. MedlinePlus: Warts · Clinical Information and Differential Diagnosis of Wart, Common (Verruca Vulgaris, HPV). References.

[9] May 28, 2022 — Warts are growths of the skin caused by infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). More than 70 HPV subtypes are known.