Will common warts grow back after being removed?

Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Common warts, even when picked off, are very likely to regrow, as they are benign growths caused by an infection of the skin and mucous membrane with the Human Papillomavirus, or HPV. Due to their viral nature, they tend to recur easily. Common warts, also known as verruca vulgaris or plantar warts, are typically caused by HPV type 2 and mainly occur between the ages of 5 and 20. They can appear on any part of the body due to autoinoculation and are most commonly found on the hands and feet. These areas are susceptible due to frequent injuries or prolonged exposure to water, which are common triggering factors. After a wart is removed, the surrounding areas might already be infected, potentially leading to new warts appearing over time.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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Will common warts recur after removal?

Common warts can recur after removal. Therefore, after the removal of common warts, it is necessary to completely eliminate the virus in the body to reduce the chances of recurrence. This can often be achieved using antiviral medications in combination with drugs that enhance immune function to prevent relapse. Generally, common warts are caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection leading to a type of growth with a rough surface, resembling cauliflower or papillae. During the infection period, the wart bodies of common warts will significantly enlarge, thus it is important to deal with the proliferating wart bodies in a timely manner. Common warts can be removed surgically, by using carbon dioxide laser methods, or treated with liquid nitrogen freezing methods.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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Is a common wart initially a red dot?

Common warts in their early stages are generally not just a red dot. The symptoms of common warts initially are usually grain-sized papules that gradually grow larger, with a rough, hard surface turning dirty yellow or grayish-brown, though some may be skin-colored. Common warts are typically solitary or multiple and commonly appear on the fingers, backs of hands, and edges of the feet. For common warts, topical medications can be used for treatment, such as applying recombinant human interferon ointment or using acetic acid solution. Additionally, treatment at a regular hospital's dermatology department can involve liquid nitrogen freezing therapy or carbon dioxide laser therapy. Surgical removal is also an option. If there are many warts, it is also necessary to combine treatment with oral antiviral medications and medications to boost the immune system.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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What should I do if new warts grow around the area after freezing common warts?

After cryotherapy for common warts, it is common for new warts to appear around the treated area. This is because common warts are caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a type of viral skin disease that tends to recur. Persistence in treatment is necessary in such cases. Treatments such as liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, carbon dioxide laser therapy, or high-frequency electronic ion cautery can be used. The occurrence of common warts is usually related to decreased immune function in the body. Therefore, it might be beneficial to use immunomodulators, such as interferon or thymopeptides enteric capsules, which have certain inhibitory effects. Concurrently, some traditional Chinese medicines that clear heat and detoxify, soothe the wind and balance the liver, along with other topical Chinese herbal treatments, can be used. A combined approach of Chinese and Western medicine often results in better outcomes. It is also important to engage in appropriate exercise to boost the body's immune system.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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Are common warts and flat warts caused by the same virus?

Common warts and flat warts are caused by infections of the same virus, mainly due to Human Papillomavirus (HPV), but not by the same type. There are over one hundred types of HPV, with more than eighty types associated with human diseases. The types of HPV that cause flat warts are mainly type 3 and type 5, while the types that cause common warts are mainly HPV type 1, type 2, type 4, and type 7. Therefore, common warts and flat warts are caused by different types of HPV infections. The appearance of flat warts and common warts is primarily due to minor lesions in the skin and mucous membranes, allowing the virus to enter the epithelial cells of the human body. There, the virus replicates and proliferates, leading to abnormal proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells, forming benign growths on the epidermis.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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How to eradicate common warts

Common warts are caused by human papillomavirus infection. This disease is contagious and recurrent. Currently, the most common treatment is cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen. Generally, small warts can often be completely removed with one treatment. Slightly larger warts may require two to three, or even three to four cryotherapy sessions, but they can ultimately be completely cured. Clinically, a topical remedy called Wart-Off can also be used to completely cure the warts, although this method may take a longer period. During the treatment period, avoid consuming spicy and stimulating foods, as they may cause the virus to grow more rapidly. Try to avoid scratching the affected area, as this behavior could potentially spread the disease and lead to more growth. It is also important to protect the normal skin during treatment.