Wart | What are Warts?

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which result in a lump forming on the skin. More than 100 types of HPV have been identified and are mainly divided into two categories: genital warts and nongenital warts. Genital warts can cause cervical cancer, while non-genital warts do not cause cancers. Only about 82 types of HPV can cause cancer.

The virus is highly contagious and can spread through contact. Genital warts are sexually transmitted, while non-genital warts are passed on via general contact, such as when a non-infected person touches an open wound on the skin of an infected person, or through shaking hands with carriers of the virus. In places such as public swimming pools and on public transport, the virus can be passed from person to person through contact with contaminated objects like towels and handles.

Warts on the skin do not generally cause harm to the body and our immune system has the ability to eliminate a small amount of tiny warts. However, if there is a large number of warts or if the warts are spread over a bigger area, the chances of elimination will lower. When the body's immune system is weak, there is a greater chance for an increase in the number of warts on the skin.

There are different types of Warts:

• Common Warts

Usually found on fingers, palms and the backs of hands, common warts are skin-coloured or dark brown. Each wart appears round and exists independently. Its surface is rough and uneven, surrounded by hardened skin. Warts can occur singly or in clusters.

• Plantar Warts

Growing on the soles of feet, plantar warts are pressed and spread inwards as we stand. Each wart appears round and exists independently. Surrounded by hardened white skin, it can also appear singly or in clusters, causing the feet to ache.

• Plane Warts

Found usually on the face and the backs of hands. Plane warts are flat, smooth patches, skin-coloured or brown, and usually not easily noticeable. When they grow on the face, they can spread in large numbers.

• Genital Warts

Genital warts are infectious and they grow on male genitals or female vaginas.

Warts are a kind of infectious disease and affect your appearance. But you can choose to have treatment to remove them. Currently, there are four main methods of wart removal that feature different principles.

• Wart removal treatment: Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment

Before the treatment, local anaesthetic cream is applied to the affected area. CO2 laser with a wavelength of 10,600 nanometres is used to vaporize the wart tissue. The laser beam is precise and accurate, and it is especially useful for warts on the face. Depending on the number of warts, only one or two treatments are required in most cases.

• Wart removal treatment: Cryotherapy

Liquid nitrogen is usually used to treat common warts and plantar warts. The cells that are infected are destroyed during the freeze-thaw cycle. Multiple treatments are usually required.

• Wart removal treatment: Excision

A curette is used to remove the wart tissue from the skin surface. This surgery should be carried out by a registered dermatologist even though it is considered a minor surgery on the scale. 

• Wart removal treatment: Topical Medications

Prescription medications e.g. salicylic acid, imiquimod or tretinoin is applied on the affected area. Prolonged treatment is usually required to achieve the desired effect.

Fees and charges for warts treatment are subject to the amount, location of warts and treatment methods. Fees and charges for warts treatment vary with different treatment methods. Please consult registered dermatologists' or registered medical aesthetic doctors' advice before having wart removal treatment.