Warts
Warts are growths on the skin caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts can infect the skin or the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and genitalia. They are contagious and may spread by direct contact with infected skin. Warts on the sole of the feet are commonly referred to as plantar warts. Multiple small warts are known as flat warts. Genital warts are called condyloma and represent the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. More than 65 different subtypes of HPV have been identified and different subtypes of warts tend to cause different types of lesions. Some HPV types that cause genital warts have a role in the development in some types of cancer such as cancer of the cervix and penis. For this reason, it is important for genital warts to be treated and for females with a history of genital warts to have yearly PAP smears. There is no one best treatment for warts. Treatment options include freezing (cryotherapy), electrosurgery, cantharone (beetle juice), topical medication (aldara, salicylic acid, veregen), injections of bleomycin, and immunotherapy (squaric acid) and in some cases, laser.