Plane warts

Question 1

Where do plane (flat/juvenile) warts typically occur and in whom?

Answer 1

Plane warts usually occur on the face in children and may spread to the upper trunk and arms. They rarely appear on other parts of the body.

Question 2

What are the characteristics of plane warts?

Answer 2

Plane warts are very small (1-3 mm), slightly raised papules, often presenting in large numbers.
They exhibit a positive Koebner phenomenon, meaning they appear in scratched or traumatised skin.

Question 3

How do plane warts typically resolve in children?

Answer 3

In most children, plane warts eventually clear spontaneously.

Question 4

Are plane warts common in adults?

Answer 4

Plane warts usually do not appear in adults but may occur in large numbers in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV infection.

Question 5

What is the first-line treatment for plane warts?

Answer 5

Salicylic acid 2-5% ointment applied twice daily for 4-8 weeks.

Question 6

What can be done if there are only a few plane warts?

Answer 6

Curettage with a sharp curette may be used for a limited number of lesions.

Question 7

What other treatment option is available for plane warts, apart from keratolytic?

Answer 7

A caustic pencil (silver nitrate pencil) can be used daily.

Question 8

What should be done if plane warts are widespread and unresponsive to salicylic acid?

Answer 8

If lesions are widespread and salicylic acid 2-5% ointment is not successful, it is best to leave them alone.