Warts/verrucas

The most common type of wart to occur on the face and lid area is the flat wart (verruca plana).These are round, slightly raised, 2 to 6 mm in diameter, tan to yellow-pink, and with a granular surfece.They may be quite numerous and even confluent. A small black center is not uncommon and represents thrombosed blood vessels. 

It is used as a stick or pencil (95% toughened with 5% potassium nitrate) to destroy warts, verrucas and other skin growths. 

The description given is typical of verrucas. Verrucas are plantar warts caused by the human papilloma virus affecting the sole of the foot in pressure areas. The lesion is pushed into the epidermis eventually forming a dry hard plaque with a small central black core, which comprises blood vessels. Preparations containing salicylic acid, which is a keratolytic agent, may be used as treatment. Diabetic patients should be referred. 

Verrucas are caused by the human papilloma virus. Verrucas are warts having a characteristic cauliflower-like appearance. Verrucas are contracted from swimming pools and public baths. They are painful when pressure is applied. Treatment involves removal of the hyperkeratolytic skin layers by the use of keratolytic agents such as salicylic acid. 

Ulcerative colitis chronic inflammatory disease affecting the large intestine and the rectum Urticaria a skin condition characterised by pruritus Uterine fibroids fibrous tissue growth in the uterus Verrucas viral skin infection, wart... 

Cantharidin is the active irritant isolated from cantharides. It is mainly used in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum and verruca vulgaris, particularly periungual warts. 

Verruca vulgaris, verruca plana, and cutaneous horn are forms of viral warts produced by the human papilloma virus (HPV).They are caused by an overgrowth of normal epithelium that may become keratinized and pigmented. Because they occur only in the superficial tissue layer, the body does not recognize them as foreign and therefore does not mount an immune reaction. They are most commonly found in children and young adults and may... 

Verrucas (plantar warts] and warts (common warts)... 

Verrucas and warts are horny projections of skin, usually on the hands and feet, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). 

Warts and verrucas are rare in children under 3 years of age. Incidence is 5-10% of children between 4 and 6 years, rising to 15-20% of young people between 16 and 18, and falling significantly in adulthood. 

Immunocompromised and immunosuppressed patients are particularly susceptible to warts and verrucas. There is also a high incidence of warts on the hands in people who handle fish or meat in their work. 

Untreated, half of warts and verrucas clear in 1 year and two-thirds in 2 years, but they are usually treated to get rid of them faster. 

Occasionally, several verrucas appear together and coalesce to form a single large plaque known as a mosaic wart. 

Treatment is the same for both verrucas and warts, and is by gradual removal of the... 

In the treatment of warts and verrucas, salicylic acid reduces viral numbers by mechanical removal of infected tissue. 

Verrucas and warts are removed by gradually abrading the infected tissue, and the same basic method is used for all preparations containing the above constituents ... 

Apply the preparation directly to the top of the verruca or wart, taking care to confine it to that area. 

Aerosols containing dimethyl ether and propane (DMEP) for freezing warts and verrucas are available over the counter. They are licensed not as medicines but as medical devices. 

Questions 1-4 concern the following treatments for verrucas and warts ... 

Which one of the following statements relating to warts and verrucas is incorrect ... 

Regressive verrucae (i.e., warts) was reported following up to 120 dermal applications of 1% benzo[a]pyrene in benzene to human skin over 4 months (Cottini and Mazzone 1939). Although reversible and apparently benign, the changes were thought to represent neoplastic proliferation. 

Commercial products can be recommended by homoeopaths or self-selected by patients for well-recognised conditions even though this might not be approved of by classical homoeopaths. Popular remedies would include Arnica for bruises. Thuja for verrucas and warts. Calcium Carbonate for rheumatism. Sulphur for indigestion. Belladonna for headache, Pulsatilla for cystitis and Bryonia for constipation. 

Warts on the sole of the foot are generally known as verrucas or plantar warts. The HPV-1 group most commonly causes verrucas although HPV-2, HPV-60 and HPV-63 can also cause them. 

In refractory condylomata acuminata (genital warts), intralesional injection of various IFNs is associated with complete clearance in 36-62% of patients, but other treatments are preferred. Relapse occurs in 20-30% of patients. Verruca vulgaris may respond to intralesional IFN-CC. Intramuscular or subcutaneous administration is associated with regression in wart size but greater toxicity. Systemic IFN may provide benefit in recurrent juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis and laryngeal disease in older patients. 

The client with a verruca vulgaris (wart) on the left ring finger below the knuckle is prescribed a colloidal acid solution. Which information should the nurse discuss with the client ... 

Vernon CJ. Long term experience of the Dentron Biogun in verruca pedis, mosaic verruca and hand warts. J. Pod. Med. 2000 65 4-8. 

Acute paronychia occurs frequently enough in meat handlers (Barnham and Kerby 1984). Erysipeloid infection is rare and can be observed in meat and fish handlers. Prosector s wart [tuberculosis verruca cutis (Goette et al. 1978)] has its source in a tuberculous-infected cadaver. It may be seen in pathologists, morgue attendants and other hospital personnel. 

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