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Profile: Warts

Definition: A small swelling that appears on the skin's surface, considered harmless, painless, and non-cancerous, but contagious. There are several types of warts depending on the type of human papillomavirus causing the infection, their clinical appearance, and their topography: plantar/palmar warts, periungual warts, flat warts, common warts, genital warts (condylomas), filiform warts, verrucous papillomas, and epidermoid cysts/cystic papillomas. While some warts can persist for several years, they generally disappear on their own after a few months.

Internal and external causes: Skin contamination by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) type virus.

How to reduce or eliminate: Consulting a physician; occlusive dressings; keratolytic treatments also known as wart removers (salicylic acid, glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monochloroacetic acid, formic acid, etc.); retinoids; cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen; carbon dioxide laser; electrocautery; surgical curettage; electrocoagulation with an electric scalpel.

Preventative steps to take: Avoid walking barefoot around swimming pools, in public showers, saunas, and locker rooms; protect cuts and wounds with a bandage; avoid direct contact with a person carrying warts; thoroughly dry your feet before putting on shoes; get vaccinated against the human papillomavirus.