CAUSES OF PERIUNGAL WARTS
Periungal Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
This virus enters the skin and causes the top layer to grow very quickly.
HPV types 1, 2 and 4 are responsible for most cases of periungal warts.
SYMPTOMS OF PERIUNGAL WARTS
Symptoms of periungal warts include small, smooth swellings which develop around fingernails and toenails.
These swellings increase in size and become rough and scaly and take on a “cauliflower appearance”.
TREATMENT FOR PERIUNGAL WARTS
Many warts resolve spontaneously without treatment and so the patient should be advised to give the body time to develop cellular immunity if the warts are not painful or spreading or involving large areas.
For those that need treatment, the treatment of periungal wart treatment can be divided into:
1. Medical treatment which involves the use of keratolytics like salicylic acid. This can be in the form of paints like Duopaint or in the form of salicylic acid plasters like Mediplast.
2. Surgical treatment of periungal warts includes surgical excision and the use of cryotherapy or freezing with liquid nitrogen.
3. Alternative therapies used to treat periungal warts include adhesiotherapy which is the application of duct tape to warts. The duct tape is left in place for 6 days before it is removed and reapplied for several 6 day cycles.
