Warts are benign skin growths caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), leading to slow-growing, rough, raised lesions on the skin or mucosa.
Mnemonic: "W.A.R.T.S. = Warty Abnormal Rough Thickened
Skin"
CAUSES & RISK FACTORS OF
WARTS
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection (HPV Types 1, 2, 6, 11, 16, 18, etc.).
- Direct Skin Contact (Person-to-Person or Auto-Inoculation).
- More Common in Children, Young Adults, & Immunocompromised Patients.
- Risk Factors: Nail Biting, Poor Hygiene, Swimming Pools, Sexual Contact (Genital Warts).
Mnemonic: "H.P.V." (HPV, Poor Hygiene, Viral
Transmission)
TYPES OF WARTS
- Common Warts (Verruca Vulgaris) → Rough, Hard, Raised Growths on Hands, Fingers, Knees.
- Plantar Warts (Verruca Plantaris) → Flat, Painful Warts on Soles (May Have Black Dots).
- Flat Warts (Verruca Plana) → Smooth, Flat-Topped Warts on Face & Hands (Common in Children).
- Filiform Warts → Long, Thread-Like Warts on Face, Neck, Eyelids.
- Genital Warts (Condyloma Acuminata) → Cauliflower-Like Growths on Genitals (Sexually Transmitted).
- Periungual Warts → Around Nails, Common in Nail Biters.
- Mosaic Warts → Cluster of Small Warts (Mostly on Feet).
Mnemonic: "C.P.F.F.G.P.M." (Common, Plantar, Flat,
Filiform, Genital, Periungual, Mosaic)
SYMPTOMS OF WARTS
- Hard, Rough, or Smooth Lesions (Depending on Type).
- Painless (Except for Plantar Warts Which Are Painful on Pressure).
- Common on Hands, Feet, Face, Genitals.
- Genital Warts → Cauliflower-Like Growths with Itching or Discomfort.
Mnemonic: "H.P.G." (Hard/Smooth, Painless, Genital Warts
- Cauliflower-Like)
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF WARTS
- Corns (Painful, No Black Dots, Only on Pressure Points).
- Calluses (Flat, Hard, No Skin Breaks, Due to Friction).
- Molluscum Contagiosum (Small, Pearly Papules with Central Dimple).
- Seborrheic Keratosis (Brown, Waxy, Stuck-On Appearance).
- Mnemonic: "C.C.M.S." (Corn, Callus, Molluscum, Seborrheic
Keratosis)
DIAGNOSIS OF WARTS
- Clinical Examination (Based on Appearance & Location).
- Dermoscopy (Detects Black Dots – Thrombosed Capillaries in Warts).
- Biopsy (Only for Atypical or Resistant Cases).
Mnemonic: "C.D.B." (Clinical, Dermoscopy, Biopsy for
Atypical Cases)
TREATMENT OF WARTS
1. MEDICAL TREATMENT
- Salicylic Acid (First-Line for Common & Plantar Warts, Applied Daily).
- Cryotherapy (Liquid Nitrogen Freezing, Causes Blistering & Wart Shedding).
- Electrocautery (Burns the Wart, Used for Resistant Cases).
- Podophyllin (For Genital Warts, Applied Weekly by Doctor).
- Imiquimod Cream (Boosts Immune Response, Used for Genital Warts).
Mnemonic: "S.C.E.P.I." (Salicylic Acid, Cryotherapy,
Electrocautery, Podophyllin, Imiquimod)
2. SURGICAL MANAGEMENT (For Large
or Resistant Warts)
- Surgical Excision (Rarely Done Due to Recurrence).
- Laser Therapy (CO2 Laser for Deep or Refractory Warts).
Mnemonic: "S.L." (Surgery, Laser Therapy)
3. GENERAL MEASURES
- Avoid Scratching or Picking Warts (Prevents Spread).
- Keep Skin Dry & Clean (Prevents New Infections).
- Use Separate Towel & Personal Items (Prevents Transmission).
- Boost Immunity with Healthy Diet & Lifestyle.
- Mnemonic: "A.K.U.B." (Avoid Scratching, Keep Skin Clean,
Use Personal Items, Boost Immunity)
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF WARTS
- For Hard, Rough Warts:
- Thuja, Causticum, Dulcamara, Silicea.
- For Painful or Bleeding Warts:
- Nitric Acid, Antimonium Crudum, Staphysagria.
- For Flat or Facial Warts:
- Calcarea Carb, Natrum Mur, Sepia.
- For Genital Warts:
- Medorrhinum, Sabina, Cinnabaris.
Mnemonic: "T.C.D.S." (Thuja, Causticum, Dulcamara,
Silicea for Common Warts)
FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS
- Definition = "W.A.R.T.S. = Warty Abnormal Rough Thickened Skin"
- Causes = "H.P.V." (HPV, Poor Hygiene, Viral Transmission)
- Types = "C.P.F.F.G.P.M." (Common, Plantar, Flat, Filiform, Genital, Periungual, Mosaic)
- Symptoms = "H.P.G." (Hard/Smooth, Painless, Genital Warts - Cauliflower-Like)
- Differential = "C.C.M.S." (Corn, Callus, Molluscum, Seborrheic Keratosis)
- Diagnosis = "C.D.B." (Clinical, Dermoscopy, Biopsy for Atypical Cases)
- Medical Treatment = "S.C.E.P.I." (Salicylic Acid, Cryotherapy, Electrocautery, Podophyllin, Imiquimod)
- Surgical = "S.L." (Surgery, Laser Therapy)
- General Measures = "A.K.U.B." (Avoid Scratching, Keep Skin Clean, Use Personal Items, Boost Immunity)
- Homeopathy = "T.C.D.S." (Thuja, Causticum, Dulcamara, Silicea for Common Warts)
