wart

wart

 [wort]

an epidermal tumor of viral origin; the term is also applied loosely to any of various benign epidermal proliferations of nonviral origin. Called also verruca. Warts are generally more common among children and young adults than among older persons. Most are less than 0.6 cm (a quarter of an inch) in diameter; they may be flat or raised and dry or moist. Usually they have a rough and pitted surface, either flesh-colored or darker than the surrounding skin. They usually develop on the fingers and hands, but may also occur on the elbows, face, scalp, or other areas. When on especially vulnerable parts of the body, such as the knee or elbow, they are subject to irritation and may become quite tender. Two specific types are plantar warts and venereal warts.



A wart develops between 1 and 8 months after the virus becomes lodged in the skin. The virus is often spread by scratching, rubbing, and slight razor cuts. In more than half the cases, warts disappear without treatment, but some remain for years.

Treatment. Many popular “cures” for warts have been suggested, but are generally useless. Furthermore, self-treatment by cutting, scraping, or using acids or patent medicines may cause bacterial infection, scarring, and other harm without eliminating the warts. A troublesome wart should be removed only by a health care provider, who may use acids, electrodesiccation, or freezing with liquid nitrogen. Warts are notoriously stubborn. Often the virus remains in the skin, and the wart grows again.

genital w's condylomata acuminata.

plantar wart a viral epidermal tumor on the sole of the foot, sometimes the result of going barefoot; unlike other warts, this type is usually sensitive to pressure and may be painful during walking. Called also verruca plantaris.

venereal w's condylomata acuminata.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

ver·ru·ca

, pl.

ver·ru·cae

(vĕ-rū'kă, -kē),

A flesh-colored growth characterized by circumscribed hypertrophy of the papillae of the corium, with thickening of the malpighian, granular, and keratin layers of the epidermis, caused by human Papillomavirus; also applied to epidermal verrucous tumors of nonviral etiology.

Synonym(s): verruga, wart

[L.]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

wart

(wôrt)

n.

1.

a. A hard rough lump growing on the skin, caused by infection with certain viruses and occurring typically on the hands or feet.

b. A similar growth or protuberance, as on a plant.

2. A genital wart.

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wart′ed, wart′y adj.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

wart

Verruca Dermatology A typically rough round or oval raised bump on mucocutaneous surfaces that may be lighter or darker than the surrounding normal skin, skin colored or rarely black induced by papovaviruses, and single most common reason for dermatologic consultation; warts are most common in children and adolescents, and rarely develop de novo in adults Types Common wart–verruca vulgaris, filiform wart, plantar wart, juvenile flat wart Location Anyplace, most common on hands, feet–plantar wart, around and under the fingernails or toenails–periungual or subungual warts–very difficult to treat, face; numerous very small smooth flat warts–pinhead size often in large numbers on children's faces, foreheads, arms and legs are called verrucae planae juvenili Clinical Ranges from spontaneous involution, common in flat warts to extreme recalcitrance, typical of periungual and moist plantar warts; plantar warts are identical to common warts but, because of their location on the soles of the feet, they can become extremely painful, especially if they are numerous, compromising running and walking; dermatologic consult is usually triggered by cosmetic considerations; genital/venereal warts are located on the genitals and are sexually transmitted Management 'Benign neglect' and 'abracadabra therapy' are most effective in young children–implying a component of biofeedback control of the immune system, chemocautery–5-20% formalin, phenol-nitric acid-salicylic acid, podophyllin, electrodissection, X-ray–narrow field, low dose, rarely used; DCNB immunotherapy Prognosis Recurrence is common, as is spontaneous involution within 2 years. See Genital wart, HPV, Mosaic wart, Musician's wart, Prosector's wart.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

ver·ru·ca

, pl. verrucae (vĕr-ū'kă, -kē)

A flesh-colored growth characterized by circumscribed hypertrophy of the papillae of the corium, with thickening of the malpighian, granular, and keratin layers of the epidermis, caused by human papillomavirus; also applied to epidermal verrucous tumors of nonviral etiology.
Compare: verruga peruana
Synonym(s): verruga, wart.

[L.]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

ver·ru·ca

, pl. verrucae (vĕr-ū'kă, -kē)

Flesh-colored growth characterized by circumscribed hypertrophy of papillae of corium, with thickening of malpighian, granular, and keratin epidermal layers, caused by human papillomavirus; also applied to epidermal verrucous tumors of nonviral etiology.
Synonym(s): wart.

[L.]

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012