Is the recurrence rate of common warts high?

Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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Common warts, commonly known as verruca vulgaris, are infectious due to human papillomavirus infection and have a high recurrence rate. For example, warts occurring on the feet are called plantar warts, which often have a long disease course and require multiple cryotherapy treatments, even more than ten times, and can recur and reoccur. It is necessary to enhance skin cleanliness, avoid external factors such as injuries, and provide active and effective antiviral treatment and immunomodulatory supportive symptomatic treatment. Early intervention with physical treatments, such as cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, laser treatment, or even surgical removal of the wart, can be combined with oral medications like thymosin enteric capsules and topical interferon gel to suppress virus replication.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What harm does not treating common warts do to the body?

Common warts are caused by papillomavirus infections. This disease is contagious and recurrent, with the most common sites of occurrence being the soles of the feet or the palms and fingers. It is important to treat this disease in a standardized and timely manner, otherwise, it may grow increasingly numerous. Warts that develop on the soles can multiply over time, causing pain while walking. If they continue to increase, some may become inflamed, infected, suppurate, or exude fluid. When warts increase in number on the hands, they can affect work, as contact with hard materials can cause pain. Therefore, it is crucial to seek standardized treatment upon discovering this disease. Although it does not significantly affect an individual's health, it can impact one’s daily life and work.

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Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
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Can common warts be removed by soaking in vinegar?

Common warts are infections caused by the human papillomavirus, commonly known as "prickly warts." Using vinegar to soak them is ineffective. It is necessary to enhance local cleanliness, with physical treatment methods being the first choice, such as cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen or combined photodynamic therapy. Treatments may also include laser or surgical options, supported by immunological aids, such as oral thymopentin enteric capsules, and possibly supplemented by Avi A to promote the regression of the warts. Additionally, topical applications of interferon gel and tazarotene cream help inhibit viral replication and soften the keratin layer, respectively. Treatment usually requires about three to four weeks, with follow-up visits every one to two weeks. The cryotherapy can be administered in multiple sessions to prevent picking and the formation of injuries. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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How long does it take for common warts to fall off after they turn black?

After common warts turn black, they generally fall off within about a week. Common warts, also known as verruca vulgaris, are primarily caused by infection with the human papillomavirus, typically by the type 2 HPV virus. The occurrence of common warts is associated with numerous factors; they often arise when the body's immune system is weakened, or when warts already present are frequently scratched, which can lead to inoculation infection. Common warts can occur on various parts of the body and are commonly found on the hands. The hands are particularly susceptible if they are kept in water for prolonged periods, which can easily trigger the appearance of common warts. Typical lesions of common warts are pea-sized or larger, gray-brown or brown papules with a rough surface and hard texture, forming papillomatous proliferations. If common warts appear, treatment options such as liquid nitrogen freezing or carbon dioxide laser treatment are available at hospitals.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
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What should I do if new warts grow around the area after freezing common warts?

Common warts can often develop new growths around the area after being frozen. This situation is common in clinical settings because common warts are caused by HPV infection, a type of viral skin disease that tends to recur. Therefore, clinically, we recommend continuing treatment persistently after recurrence, whether by freezing, using lasers, or other methods, to fully resolve the issue. If treatment is delayed, the warts can increase in number. Commonly used physical treatments include freezing, electrocautery, scraping, lasers, etc., and are suitable when there are fewer lesions. Since there are currently no definitive effective anti-HPV medications, recurrence is common in clinical settings. At this time, we can use some immunomodulators, such as interferons, which have certain inhibitory effects. Simultaneously, traditional Chinese medicine methods such as clearing heat, detoxifying, dispelling wind, smoothing the liver, dispersing masses, and combined with external washing of Chinese medicine, can sometimes achieve better therapeutic effects.

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Written by Li Ya Ping
Dermatology Department
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Are common warts and plantar warts the same?

Plantar warts are common warts that occur on the soles of the feet. Therefore, plantar warts are a special type of common wart that occurs on the soles of the feet. Plantar warts belong to the category of common warts. Common warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the skin and mucous membranes, resulting in benign growths such as common warts, flat warts, or genital warts, among others. However, the subtypes of HPV causing these infections vary. Additionally, within common warts, those occurring on the soles of the feet are specifically referred to as plantar warts. Plantar warts mainly appear on the front part of the sole, which is an area subject to friction and often sweatier, thus making it more susceptible to warts. These warts can be painful, or they might not cause any discomfort at all.