Warts, Molluscs and Skin Tags; Treatment and Removal

Medical term: Verruca vulgaris (sgl). Verrucae vulgares (pl).

Common Verrucae are the most common skin abnormality. They are skin tumors of viral origin that occur in both children and adults, but more frequently in children and youths. "Tumor" only means "bump", and does not indicate any level of severity, and especially not in the direction of cancer. It is an entirely benign skin growth of cosmetic significance, but without any influence on life expectancy or general state of health. Verrucae are caused by a family of viruses known as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). They may grow anywhere, but the most frequent place to find verrucae are the extremities of the body - especially the fingers, hands, and feet. They may also pop up on mucous membranes, like the mucous linings on the inside the mouth and on or inside the genitals. In these cases, especially in the sexual organs these skin growths can be difficult to detect, and may require medical examination by a doctor. The typical appearance is the cauliflower-like, small, sharply defined dome shaped bumps of about 0,5-1,0 cm in diameter, with a greyish, rough, thick, often cracked keratinic outer layer. On the extremities, fingers and feet they may lacerate and bleed, and thereby cause spreading of the virus, and thus cause new verrucae to occur in the same individual, or in new individuals. Kids generally pick up the infection (HPV) while using towels or napkins used by an infected person. Even walking barefoot on the bathmat or swimming pool diving areas that have come into contact with an HPV infected man or woman can cause an unwarranted infection in those whose immune system is weaker than the average.

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Medical term: Condyloma.

Genital condylomas are highly contagious, and are caused by certain groups of HPV (human papilloma virus). It is a sexually transmitted disease. Sexual partners can pass the virus to one another, thereby causing condylomas to pop up in new individuals. For women these growths are more difficult to get rid of than for men due to the anatomical nature of the female sexual organs. They may also spread the virus unknowingly, because women may have the virus and its manifestations without knowing. They may be present in the vulva, vagina and cervix, and may cause cancer of the cervical mucous membrane. While there is no known measure that can be taken to prevent condylomas and verrucae completely, the washing of hands, and the use of condoms during sexual intercourse with new partners are obvious and good ways to prevent condylomas from spreading. These measures will reduce the chance of getting viral growths, and reduce risk overall, as HPV is not the only virus or micro organism that spreads this way. Of all the verrucae that the HPV creates for human discomfort, the genital ones are the worst type. Appearing indiscriminately on the penis, vulva or the anal region these cauliflower-looking growths, when irritated can cause itching, burning including severe discomfort and distress, making sexual intercourse extremely painful. Some strains of HPV that cause genital condylomas may also cause cervical cancers in women.

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Flat verrucae are, like the name indicates, flat and not cylindrical. They are also caused by the HPV virus but occur more frequently on the face, neck, legs and knees. Other areas may be affected as well. Flat verrucae are common on the faces of men and on the legs and armpits of young women. The reason is this: Shaving or scratching a flat wart can spread the virus through the blood stream. Small lines or groups of flat verrucae may then occur where they have been shaved. Flat verrucae are often seen in young boys and girls. Preventive measures will naturally be the washing of hands, the avoidance of scratching and cutting of the skin, and hygiene with razors. There are no ways to avoid the virus entirely, but luckily, good natural treatment options are available.

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Plantar verrucae are small (and sometimes rather big!) yellowish keratinic growths found on the soles of the feet, the so called 'plantar' side of the foot. They may be painful, and the pain is usually what brings the wart to the doctors attention. Even ambling on a smooth surfaced tarmac will give such a person the feeling of walking barefoot over sharp stone chips. In other words, it is a torture for the fellow to enjoy a simple promenade. Plantar verrucae are distinguished by their location, and the small black dots on top of the plantar growths, representing blood vessels. Plantar verrucae are very common. At least 100 different sub types of the human papilloma virus (HPV) may cause plantar verrucae. About ten percent of children, teenagers and adults have some type of warts. They are thus extremely common. Spread may occur through sharing of shoes, socks etc, and the spread may be avoided by using only ones own, clean footwear, and by using sandals or rubber shoes in public baths and shower areas.

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Molluscum contagiousum is a small, wart-like viral infection which attacks kids, and sometimes adults. The bumps called Molluscum contagiousum almost give off the look of large zits. They may be distinguished from acne due to the lack of pus and redness. Molluscs have a pinkish, fleshy color, and a shiny surface. Molluscum is also known for having an indented center or umbo (navel). It is not caused by HPV, but by one of many viruses in the poxvirus family. The virus is called the MCV or molluscum contagiosum virus.

Molluscum is extremely contagious and spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with someone with the disease. It also spreads by scratching a virus infected area of the skin, and later scratching another part of the skin without washing the hands in between. One mollusc may rapidly spread all over, quickly causing 10 or 20 or more bumps popping up everywhere. The virus is contracted through breaks in hair follicles as well as from a lot of humidity in the air. They disappear of their own after some months or years.

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There are many names for skin tags; acrochordons, fibroepithelial polyps and pedunculated papillomas. Skin tags usually appear in those parts of the body where the skin folds such as the arm pits and the groin region, but may show up about anywhere. Skin tags are not at all harmful. It looks like a small area of the skin that protrudes as a pedunculated expansion, and it is flesh in color, or may have ordinary skin color. They have a fibrovascular core with fat cells covered by epidermis. They are usually from 5 millimeters in size, but there can be bigger tags as well. Skin tags appear in individuals of all ages, but are most commonly seen in the aged. No one is yet quite sure as to the exact reasons why skin tags appear. It is a common belief that aging and obesity are contributing factors, but are not causative. The true cause is unknown.

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Though warts usually do not require any medical treatment as they mostly go away on their own, certain forms of warts necessitate removal by using OTC medications that should be topically applied to the wart repeatedly till they disappear. Warts may also be removed by a surgeon with the help of an electrically overheated needle or ‘frozen to death’ with liquid nitrogen through Cryosurgery. For recalcitrant warts, laser therapy could possibly be the last word.