Warts research in San Diego

Have you ever gotten a wart? They appear as if magic, sprouting up out of nowhere to create an unsightly growth on the skin. Have you ever gotten a wart and wanted an effective way to treat it? California Dermatology and Clinical Research Institute in San Diego offers clinical research trials of investigatoional medications for warts on the skin.

What are Warts?

Everyone has seen warts before, but what actually causes warts? Warts are an infection on the outermost layer of the skin that is usually caused by contact with some type of virus. These viruses are usually in the HPV (human papillomavirus) family of viruses. The virus usually penetrates the skin through a small scratch or cut, and the virus then causes a quick growth of the skin cells that then create the wart.

what causes common warts and how do you get warts?

As we stated above, warts are caused by contact with an HPV virus, so the greater question is how do people come in contact with an HPV virus? Oftentimes it comes from touching another person who has warts, such as by shaking hands with them. Sometimes you can also get warts by coming in contact with an object that is carrying the virus, such as a towel that a wart carrier recently used.

The virus needs a small nick or cut to get under the skin, so that is why it usually occurs on the fingers. Fingers are very susceptible to getting small cuts. Also, shaving cuts can create an opening for warts as well, so some women can get warts on their legs and men can get warts on their face.

Some people have a genetic predisposition to getting warts, as their immune system is not as potent and efficient in fighting off the HPV virus that causes warts. That can lead to certain people often getting warts while others have never had a wart in their life.

How Can I Prevent Warts From Occurring?

With the proper precautions, warts can be avoided in most cases. While following these tips do not guarantee a completely wart free existence, it is a good place to start.

• Don’t fiddle with your own warts.

• Don’t touch other people’s warts.

• Keep your feet dry and clean.

• Don’t walk barefoot on warm and wet surfaces. (i.e. a public shower or locker room)

• Don’t share items with others.

• Keep the bottom of your feet healthy.

What are the Symptoms of Warts?

Warts come in a wide variety of shapes and different sizes. Warts traditionally present themselves as a small bump on the skin, but in some cases a wart can actually be flat. As far as texture, the surface of a wart is typically rough to the touch, but you can also find warts that are smooth. Warts are usually painless, but in certain locations they can cause some pain. Specifically, if warts show up on parts of your body that are under frequent pressure, such as the fingertips or the bottom of the feet, they can cause pain when pressure is applied.

How Are Common Warts Diagnosed?

In many cases an experienced dermatologist can diagnosis simply by examining it with the naked eye, but in some cases they will want a closer look. Your dermatologist may take a small sample of the wart and examine it underneath a microscope to be absolutely certain the growth is in fact a wart. After this biopsy, your dermatologist will be able to diagnose the wart.

How Are Warts Treated?

Some of the more popular methods for removing a wart include freezing it, removing it surgically, or dousing it with a strong medicine to destroy the tissue. Once removed, the wart should completely go away, but in some cases it will grow back. If the wart grows back, contact your dermatologist for additional treatment.

Wart Treatment with Research Studies in San Diego

California Dermatology and Clinical Research Institute in San Diego specializes in expert care as well as research studies for patients with dermatological issues and skin care needs, including warts. If you are a patient with warts, come to CDCRI in San Diego for a full evaluation by our clinical team. We have the latest and greatest treatments for warts at our facility along with research studies using investigational medicaitons. If you are interested in doing more for your warts, contact California Dermatology and Clinical Research Institute today! Give us a call at (760) 203-3839. All consultations are without charge, you have nothing to lose except your warts!