Cutaneous warts Flashcards
Define warts.
Warts are elevated, round, hyperkeratotic skin papules with a rough greyish-white or light brown surface.
What is the aetiology of warts?
Warts are elevated, round, hyperkeratotic skin papules with a rough greyish-white or light brown surface.
What are risk factors for warts?
Water immersion
Occupations involving handling of meat or fish
Nail biting
Age under 35 years
Immunocompromised
Summarise the epidemiology for warts.
A common clinical problem, with a population prevalence of around 7% to 12%.
What are signs and symptoms of warts?
Lesion growth over weeks to months
Round, raised papule
Tiny black dots on surface of lesion
Satellite lesions
Fingers or nail fold lesions
Facial lesions
Fissuring
Hyperkeratosis
Greyish-white or light brown colour
Filiform papule with sharp spikes
What are investigations for warts?
CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS
(skin biopsy)
What is the management for warts?
Debridement + salicylic acid
What are complications associated with cutaneous warts? What is the prognosis for cutaneous warts?
Treatment-related scarring
Most common warts will resolve spontaneously in immunocompetent individuals. Clearance rates in children from time of diagnosis to clearance are 23% at 2 months, 30% at 3 months, 65% to 78% at 2 years, and 90% at 5 years.
