Warts and Molluscum

What Are Warts?

When the human papilloma virus (HPV) enters the skin through an injury, it causes a small area of cells to grow quickly and form a wart. They can develop on any part of the body, appearing rapidly and even multiplying.

Warts are very common among children and teens. The growths are generally harmless, but they can be uncomfortable or embarrassing, depending on their location. They may be a pressing cosmetic concern for patients if they appear in a very noticeable area of the body, such as the hands or face.

There are many types of warts, including common, plantar, genital, and flat. Sometimes, they bleed or become sore, especially if they develop on the hands, feet, or where clothing rubs. The genital type, in particular, can be quite uncomfortable.

What Is Molluscum Contagiosum?

Small bumps developing on the skin may also indicate the presence of molluscum contagiosum, an infection caused by a poxvirus. Molluscum contagiosum is relatively common, especially in children. The growths can develop on any part of the body and can also spread due to itching and scratching.

What Can Be Done About Warts and Molluscum Contagiosum?

Depending on a wart’s size and location, it may be removed by any of a number of treatments, including freezing with liquid nitrogen, topicals (“Beetle juice,” salicylic acid, or prescription medications) applied to the growth, medication injected directly into the bump, and surgical excision.

Multiple treatments may be necessary, but these procedures are typically brief and well-tolerated by most patients. Healing time is minimal for healthy people, but be aware that with genital warts, treatment destroys the growths themselves, not the virus that causes them. Therefore, they may come back or appear elsewhere on the body.

Molluscum contagiosum is typically asymptomatic and will clear up on its own within 12 months. Still, our dermatologists advise patients with this condition to seek treatment sooner rather than later because the bumps multiply and are contagious. They can also be cosmetically bothersome and cause significant concern for parents when they appear on children. Treatment options are similar to the procedures used on warts.

Why Choose Golden State Dermatology for Warts?

The board-certified and board-eligible dermatologists at Golden State Dermatology draw on their medical dermatology education and experience to diagnose each patient’s specific problem by taking a medical history, examining the symptoms, and running tests as necessary. Proper treatment begins with proper diagnosis, which is why seeing a qualified professional is critical.