What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Common Wart
• Verruca Vulgaris

What is Verruca Vulgaris of Skin? (Definition/Background Information)

• Verruca Vulgaris of Skin is a very common benign skin infection that is caused by human papilloma virus (HPV). It is frequently seen in children or young adults
• The skin lesions appear as tiny papules, commonly on the hands and fingers. However, they can appear on other body parts such as the face (on the nose, eyelids, lip, etc.)
• Verruca Vulgaris of Skin, also known as the Common Wart, typically affects individuals with poor immune system. This infectious condition can spread through direct contact with infected individuals or through contaminated surfaces
• The lesions can ulcerate and bleed, if irritated. It has been established that some longstanding cases even have the potential to develop into verrucous carcinomas
• Verruca Vulgaris of Skin can be diagnosed through medical history evaluations, complete physical exam, and confirmed through a skin biopsy
• A complete excision of the skin condition or the use of cryotherapy are some of the treatment methods used. The prognosis of Verruca Vulgaris of Skin is generally excellent with suitable treatment

Who gets Verruca Vulgaris of Skin? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Verruca Vulgaris of Skin is a very common skin infection that affects children, adolescents, and young adults; it can occur in older adults too
• In general, both males and females are affected this condition
• There is no racial or ethnic predilection; it is observed worldwide

What are the Risk Factors for Verruca Vulgaris of Skin? (Predisposing Factors)

Risk factors identified for Verruca Vulgaris of Skin include:

• Immunocompromised individuals
• Contact with HPV-infected individuals
• Sharing infected items such as towels and bed sheets
• Healthy young patients commonly acquire Common Warts

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Verruca Vulgaris of Skin? (Etiology)

• Verruca Vulgaris of Skin is a viral infection that is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV)
• The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with an HPV-infected individual
• It can also spread from infected surfaces, shared things, etc.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Verruca Vulgaris of Skin?

The signs and symptoms of Verruca Vulgaris of Skin include the following:

• The presence of single or multiple papules on the skin
• They can range in between 2-20 mm in size
• These papules are common on the hands (fingers and nail edges), but may affect other body areas such as the nose, eyelids, and lips, on the face; they can also occur inside the mouth
• Itching is the most common symptom associated with the lesions; sometimes, pain may be observed
• The skin lesions may be present for a long period of time and can ulcerate and bleed, if scratched

How is Verruca Vulgaris of Skin Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Verruca Vulgaris of Skin may involve the following procedures:

• The diagnosis usually entails a good physical examination and comprehensive evaluation of one’s medical history
• Examination of the skin by a dermatologist using a special magnified lens (dermoscopy)
• Skin biopsy: A biopsy is performed and sent to a laboratory for a pathological examination. The pathologist examines the biopsy under a microscope. After putting together clinical findings, special studies on tissues (if needed) and with microscope findings, the pathologist arrives at a definitive diagnosis

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Verruca Vulgaris of Skin?

The complications of Verruca Vulgaris of Skin may include the following:

• Intense scratching of the lesions can lead to secondary bacterial or fungal infections
• The longstanding lesions can cause self-image (cosmetic) issues, emotional stress, and psychological trauma in some individuals, leading to depression
• There is a higher chance of longstanding Verruca Vulgaris skin lesions developing into invasive verrucous carcinoma

How is Verruca Vulgaris of Skin Treated?

The treatment strategies that may be used for Verruca Vulgaris of Skin or Common Warts include:

• Many Common Warts will spontaneously resolve. This is because the patient’s own immune system has the capacity to recognize the wart antigens as foreign, and slowly or rapidly cause them to go away. This should be considered when approaching wart treatments. Weighed against that is the potential for the patient to spread warts to other sites, or to others with whom they have contact
• Topical treatments are frequently successful. Most commonly used is salicylic acid. With conscientious application and covering, salicylic acid painlessly softens and sloughs the thickened, infected epidermal cells. This can be used on warts in most locations, such as fingers and soles of feet (plantar warts)
• Cantharadin is an extract from blister beetles, which induce painless blisters when applied to the epidermis. This can cause a blister to lift-off the wart-infected epidermis
• Imiquimod is a topical immune system activator. It was first approved for genital and perianal area warts. It is now used on Verruca Vulgaris to induce the immune system to eradicate warts
• Topical prescription retinoids (tretinoin, tazarotene) are used topically alone or in conjunction with other topicals, making the other medications penetrate more readily
• Candida antigen (available for allergy and immune testing) can be injected into warts. Most teens and adults have been exposed to candida by “yeast infection”. The patient’s immune system is attracted by the Candida antigen and coincidentally attacks and removes the Common Wart infected skin cells
• Bleomycin, a cancer chemotherapy agent, can be diluted and injected in small amounts directly into Common Warts. This causes the injected epidermis to die, sloughing-off the wart infected tissue
• Cryotherapy, also known as cryosurgery, where very low temperatures are used to treat the benign lesions. Liquid nitrogen is most frequently used in the United States. The extreme cold causes the water inside skin cells to turn to ice, expanding and rupturing the cell membranes. The resultant blister or almost-blistered skin sloughs over days to weeks and lifts the wart infected skin off
• Surgery with a curette or scalpel can be used to physically remove Common Warts. This generally requires injections of local anesthetic
• Electrodessication surgery can heat and destroy Common Warts (also requiring local anesthetic)
• Lasers may be used to vaporize or ablate Common Warts
• Follow-up care with regular screening and check-ups are important
• The presence of chronic skin lesions may cause psychological discomfort; individuals may require reassurance to help with stress and anxiety

No single treatment for Common Warts is successful for all warts and patients. The necessity for multiple repeat or different treatments can be frustrating, inconvenient, painful and expensive.

How can Verruca Vulgaris of Skin be Prevented?

The following measures may help mitigate risks and help prevent Verruca Vulgaris of Skin:

• Avoiding contact with HPV-infected individuals
• Avoiding sharing infected items such as bedspreads and towels
• Maintaining good personal hygiene and care

What is the Prognosis of Verruca Vulgaris of Skin? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

The skin lesions in Verruca Vulgaris of Skin are not life-threatening and the prognosis is generally excellent with their complete excision.

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Verruca Vulgaris of Skin:

• Avoiding scratching of the ‘itchy’ lesions
• Cleaning the skin too hard with strong chemicals or soaps may aggravate the condition. Care must be taken avoid strong soaps and chemicals that could potentially worsen the condition