Is a common wart an HPV carrier?

Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on September 08, 2024
00:00
00:00

Common warts are caused by HPV, the human papillomavirus, which infects the skin and mucous membranes, causing benign growths that appear as various types of warts. Clinically common types include ordinary warts, flat warts, plantar warts, and genital warts, among others. Common warts are also known as verruca vulgaris, predominantly caused by HPV type 2, and they mainly occur between the ages of 5 and 20 but can also appear in other age groups. Due to autoinoculation, they can occur on any part of the body, primarily on the hands. Common precipitating factors include hand injuries or conditions involving swelling and soaking. Typical lesions are the size of a soybean or larger, grey-brown, brown, or flesh-colored papules with a rough surface, hard texture, and may have a cauliflower-like or papillomatous growth.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
56sec home-news-image

Can common warts be cut with scissors?

Common warts should not be cut with scissors. Common warts are a type of viral skin infection caused by the human papillomavirus resulting in benign growths. Using scissors to cut them can easily lead to further infections, so it is not recommended to use scissors to remove common warts. If you have common warts, you can visit the dermatology department of a standard hospital. If the warts are small, you can apply creams containing retinoic acid or imiquimod cream. If topical medications are not effective, treatments like liquid nitrogen freezing or carbon dioxide laser treatment can be employed. The occurrence of common warts is also somewhat related to a decrease in the body's immune function, so it is important to exercise regularly to boost the immune system and avoid staying up late.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
53sec home-news-image

Will common warts grow back after being removed?

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
47sec home-news-image

Can a common wart that hasn't ruptured be contagious?

Common warts are contagious even without broken skin. Common warts are caused by an infection with a subtype of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The disease is primarily transmitted through contact with each other, and it is not necessary for the surface to have wounds or cuts in order to spread. Therefore, once this disease is detected, it must be treated promptly and properly, such as going to the dermatology department of a hospital to use methods like cryotherapy or laser. It may not be completely cured in one session and might require multiple treatments to fully resolve. Only after it is completely cured and the source of infection is eliminated, will it no longer spread to oneself or others around. It is important to maintain cleanliness and hygiene, and it is advisable not to keep small animals at home.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
54sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jing
Dermatology Department
58sec home-news-image

Can common warts be pricked with a needle?

Common warts should not be punctured with a needle. The cause of common warts is a viral infection; they are caused by a type of human papillomavirus and manifest pathologically with hyperkeratosis, incomplete keratinization, and papillomatous proliferation of the epidermis. They do not form a cystic structure. Puncturing them with a needle will not only increase the risk of bacterial infection but also has no therapeutic effect. If you have common warts, the most appropriate action is to visit a hospital for treatment with options such as laser cauterization, cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, or surgical removal of the lesions. This can completely remove the warts. If there are many warts or they keep recurring, it is also advisable to consult a doctor to see if medication should be combined with the treatment.