Warts

Warts are caused by a different virus which infects only the epidermal cells and produces small outgrowths on the surface of the skin, without any signs and symptoms of inflammation. There is no pain or itching and thus the patient tends to ignore the lesions which keep on increasing in size, slowly but progressively. The virus from one lesion can spread to a new area in the vicinity of the old lesion, but the whole process is very slow.

The lesions attain a variety of shapes and may be located on any part of the body, but the common sites of involvement include the hands, the forearms, the face and neck and the palms and soles. The warts do not pose any serious problem in the individual, except that they are cosmetically unac ceptable, especially if located on the face or the hand. They can produce mechanical interference/ discomfort when present on the genital/perianal area, or cause pain on walking when located on the soles.