A cutaneous wart is a human papillomavirus infection of epidermal keratinocytes. The raised, rough lesion is the visible output — not the whole of it.
HPV drives keratinocyte proliferation. Destroying the visible lesion does not remove virus from surrounding skin that still looks normal, which is why recurrence is the number that matters.
Not everything rough and raised is a wart. Seborrhoeic keratoses, corns and calluses on weight-bearing skin present similarly and are managed differently.
Site, number, thickness, duration, prior treatment and immune status. Hand and foot lesions behave differently from one another.
Cryotherapy, electrocautery, laser and acids all remove the lesion. Interval between sessions materially affects recurrence. Immunotherapy is used where lesions are refractory.
Picking or shaving over warts spreads virus. Long-standing lesions become more resistant. Immunosuppression changes both clearance and recurrence.
A cutaneous wart is a human papillomavirus infection of epidermal keratinocytes. The raised, rough lesion is the visible output — not the whole of it.
Not everything rough and raised is a wart. Seborrhoeic keratoses, corns and calluses on weight-bearing skin present similarly and are managed differently.
Site, number, thickness, duration, prior treatment and immune status. Hand and foot lesions behave differently from one another.
Picking or shaving over warts spreads virus. Long-standing lesions become more resistant. Immunosuppression changes both clearance and recurrence.
Every assessment is carried out personally by Dr Sin Yong, Medical Director. 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza.
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