What Causes Warts?

Posted on Thu, 12 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 12 Jun 2014 Answered on

Wed, 2 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have warts over my neck , palms and on sole of the feet, these seem to be spreading and the total no of warts probably crossed 15 on my body. I am just worried about what causes the warts to spread and how I could treat them.
I am worried if I am unknowingly spreading them.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Warts Treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic

I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it

Warts are caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). They can spread by autoinnoculation.

Treatment is by various destructive modalities like:

-Electrocautery
-Radiofrequency cautery
-CO 2 Laser vaporization

I would suggest that you seek an appointment with a dermatologist and get the warts removed as soon as possible because they can spread further by autoinnoculation

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (28 minutes later)

Thanks doctor,

Are these treatments painful and would cause any side effects?
I am worried if I would be transferring warts on my palms to genital area, is it possible ? if yes, will they be of same strain as genital wart strain of HPV?
Kindly let me know

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Warts treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

The procedure would be easily done under regional anesthesia, therefore is painless and it is without any side effects.

It is possible for warts on the hand to be passed to the genitals but this is very rare. Those passed on to genitalis from hands will be different HPV types than those which commonly involve the genitalia e.g HPV type 6 and 11 commonly involve the genitalia whereas HPV types 1, 2, 4 commonly involve the palms, fingers etc.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Thank you very much Doctor,

That eases up lot of my concerns. I will definitely follow up with my dermatologist and see if I can have the procedures done, one last question though, will the warts recurs?

Thanks,

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Warts

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Since wart is an infection, therefore they can recur if they are not removed completely. However, if properly and completely removed, they won't recur.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj