Verrucae and human papillomavirus warts

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Overview

Verrucae (warts) are benign epithelial proliferations of keratinocytes caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. They are among the commonest skin lesions, with distinct HPV types favouring characteristic morphologies and sites — common, plantar, flat (plane), filiform, and genital warts. Fellowship-level competence requires mastery of the clinical morphology and type associations, an understanding of natural immune-mediated resolution, the evidence-based treatment ladder (salicylic acid, cryotherapy, blunt dissection, intralesional bleomycin/immunotherapy, and newer approaches such as saturated saline immersion), the special problems of plantar, periungual, and refractory disease, genital warts and their prevention by HPV vaccination, and the rare but important malignant transformation (epidermodysplasia verruciformis, HPV-related squamous and verrucous carcinoma), especially in immunocompromise.^[1][2][5]

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Pathophysiology and virology ^[1]

HPV is a small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA papillomavirus with tropism for stratified squamous epithelium. It infects basal keratinocytes through micro-abrasions, and viral replication in differentiating keratinocytes drives the characteristic proliferation and hyperkeratosis. Over 200 HPV types exist, with type-site-morphology associations: ^[1]

• HPV-1 — deep plantar warts (myrmecia).
• HPV-2, 27, 57 — common warts (verruca vulgaris).
• HPV-3, 10, 28 — flat (plane) warts.
• HPV-6, 11 (low-risk) — genital warts (condyloma acuminatum) and laryngeal papillomatosis; HPV-16, 18 and other high-risk types — anogenital and oropharyngeal dysplasia/carcinoma.
• HPV-5, 8 — epidermodysplasia verruciformis. ^[1]

Transmission is by skin-to-skin contact, autoinoculation, and fomites (swimming pools, shared footwear for plantar warts; sexual for genital warts). Cell-mediated immunity governs resolution: most cutaneous warts resolve spontaneously within 1-2 years in immunocompetent hosts (especially children), but immunocompromise (HIV, transplant, iatrogenic) predisposes to extensive, persistent, refractory disease.^[1][15][2]

Clinical features

• Common wart (verruca vulgaris) — firm, hyperkeratotic, exophytic papule with a rough verrucous surface, often on the fingers and hands; paring reveals tiny black dots (thrombosed capillary loops) — a key discriminator from calluses/corns.
• Plantar wart (verruca plantaris) — a firm, endophytic, hyperkeratotic plaque on the sole, often at pressure points, with black dots on paring; multiple lesions may coalesce into a mosaic wart. Painful on lateral pressure (unlike calluses, which are tender only on direct pressure and lack black dots).
• Flat (plane) wart (verruca plana) — smooth, flat-topped, skin-coloured or pigmented papules, often numerous on the face, hands, and shins; commonly linear (Koebner).
• Filiform/digitate wart — slender, finger-like projections, often on the face (eyelids, lips, neck) and neck.
• Genital wart (condyloma acuminatum) — soft, fleshy, cauliflower-like papules on the genitals, perianal area, and perineum; sexually transmitted (HPV-6/11).
• Epidermodysplasia verruciformis — a rare genetic susceptibility to widespread, lifelong HPV infection (HPV-5/8) presenting with flat warts and premalignant actinic keratosis-like lesions that progress to squamous cell carcinoma in sun-exposed sites.^[2][7]

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is clinical, aided by dermoscopy (thrombosed capillaries as dark dots/red loops) and the characteristic black dots on paring. Biopsy is indicated for: a treatment-resistant, atypical, ulcerated, or bleeding lesion (to exclude squamous or verrucous carcinoma), immunocompromise (to assess dysplasia), pigmented lesions, and lesions in older adults. HPV typing and/or PCR is used in research and for high-risk cervical/anogenital typing. Acetowhitening is used for subclinical anogenital lesions.^[16]

Specific Subtypes & High-Yield Scenarios

• Plantar warts (verruca plantaris): deep endophytic; HPV-1 myrmecia type; mosaic pattern; painful on lateral squeeze. Salicylic acid + paring, then cryotherapy. Saturated saline immersion is a novel evidence-based treatment.
• Periungual warts: around the nail folds; difficult to treat; can cause onycholysis and nail dystrophy; treat conservatively to avoid nail damage.
• Filiform warts: slender projections on face, eyelids, neck, lips; treat by careful scissor excision or cryotherapy.
• Flat warts: numerous on face/extremities; topical retinoids, imiquimod, 5-FU, gentle cryotherapy.
• Anogenital warts (condyloma acuminatum): HPV-6/11; soft, cauliflower-like; treat with imiquimod, podophyllotoxin, sinecatechins, trichloroacetic acid, cryotherapy, CO2 laser, surgical excision. Screen for other STIs.
• Buschke-Lowenstein tumour: giant anogenital condyloma; HPV-6/11; locally invasive; high recurrence; requires wide local excision; consider chemoradiation.
• Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP): laryngeal HPV-6/11; hoarseness, stridor; repeated laser ablation; intralesional cidofovir/bevacizumab.
• Epidermodysplasia verruciformis: rare genetic susceptibility (EVER1/EVER2 TMC6/TMC8); widespread flat warts; cutaneous SCC in sun-exposed sites.
• Warts in immunocompromise (HIV, transplant): extensive, refractory; consider reduction of immunosuppression, retinoids, imiquimod, intralesional bleomycin, HPV vaccination.
• Verrucous carcinoma (epithelioma cuniculatum): rare, low-grade SCC variant; can arise in long-standing plantar wart or chronic ulcer; biopsy if treatment-resistant or rapid growth.
• Heck disease (focal epithelial hyperplasia): HPV-13/32; multiple soft papules on lips/buccal mucosa; children; common in indigenous populations.
• Epidermal cyst-like wart: HPV-60; plantar epidermoid cyst with verrucous lining. ^[1]

Complications & Pitfalls

• Missed squamous or verrucous carcinoma: any treatment-resistant, ulcerated, bleeding, or rapidly growing wart in an older adult; biopsy.
• Scarring from aggressive cryotherapy, CO2 laser, or surgery — counsel patients, especially on cosmetic sites (face, periungual).
• Nail dystrophy from periungual wart treatment; can be permanent.
• Autoinoculation: scratching spreads warts to adjacent sites (Koebner); advise not to pick.
• Treatment failure: approximately 30% of cutaneous warts recur after any single treatment; second-line or combination therapy often needed.
• Imiquimod side effects: local irritation, flu-like symptoms, exacerbation of inflammatory skin disease.
• Bleomycin: nail changes, Raynaud's, hyperpigmentation; rare pulmonary toxicity with intralesional use.
• Buschke-Lowenstein tumour: misdiagnosed as condyloma; biopsy; risk of SCC transformation. ^[1]

Special Populations

• Children: warts common, often self-resolving; gentle therapy preferred; duct tape as adjunct; reassure parents.
• Pregnancy: genital warts can proliferate; treatment deferred until after delivery; vaginal delivery may transmit HPV to neonate (laryngeal papillomatosis).
• Immunocompromised (HIV, transplant): extensive disease; consider reduction of immunosuppression; retinoids, imiquimod; HPV vaccination recommended (though reduced efficacy).
• Atopic dermatitis: increased wart susceptibility due to impaired Th1/cell-mediated immunity.
• Elderly: consider biopsy to exclude SCC; seborrhoeic warts (NOT HPV-related) are the commonest senile wart.
• Men who have sex with men (MSM): high-risk HPV exposure; anal cancer screening with anal cytology (analogous to cervical screening). ^[1]

Evidence, Guidelines & Regional Differences (Extended)

• Cochrane 2012 review of cutaneous wart treatments: topical salicylic acid has the best evidence; no single treatment is highly effective.
• BAD 2014 guidelines: first-line salicylic acid or cryotherapy; second-line combination, intralesional immunotherapy.
• AAFP 2018 review: most warts self-resolve; treatment optional; shared decision-making.
• AAD/CDC genital wart guidelines (2021): patient-applied (imiquimod, podophyllotoxin, sinecatechins) or provider-applied (cryotherapy, TCA, surgical); HPV vaccine for prevention.
• WHO 2022 cervical cancer elimination strategy: 90% of girls HPV-vaccinated by age 15; 70% screening; 90% treatment.
• HPV vaccines: bivalent (HPV-16/18), quadrivalent (HPV-6/11/16/18), nonavalent (HPV-6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) — nonavalent Gardasil-9 most widely used; effective for prevention of anogenital warts, cervical/anal/oropharyngeal cancer.
• Saturated saline immersion (Xu 2026, JAAD): novel, simple, low-cost adjunct for refractory plantar warts; soak affected foot in 25% hypertonic saline 30 min twice daily for 4-6 weeks.
• Photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT): used in Europe/Asia for recalcitrant warts; 70-90% clearance in some series. ^[1]

Exam Pearls (Extended)

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Differential diagnosis

Calluses and corns (no black dots, normal skin lines), molluscum contagiosum (central umbilication), squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma (treatment-resistant, biopsy), seborrhoeic keratosis, lichen planus (flat-topped, Wickham striae), actinic keratosis, scar, amelanotic melanoma (any atypical or refractory lesion — biopsy), and condyloma latum (syphilis) for genital warts.^[2]

Management

Treatment balances natural resolution against discomfort, scarring, time, and patient preference; no treatment is universally effective, and recurrence is common.^[3][5][9]

First-line for cutaneous warts

• Salicylic acid (12-26%, e.g., 17-40% plasters) with prior soaking and paring — first-line; moderate efficacy, requires persistence, low scarring. Cochrane evidence supports efficacy over placebo, though absolute benefit is modest.^[3][4]
• Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) every 2-3 weeks — comparable to salicylic acid; aggressive (longer freeze) is more effective but more painful and prone to blistering/scarring; not preferred in young children.^[3]

Second-line and refractory

• Blunt dissection / curettage / electrodessication — quick and effective, especially for filiform and periungual warts; small scarring risk.
• Cantharidin, podophyllotoxin (for genital), formic acid, and formaldehyde (for plantar).
• Intralesional bleomycin, intralesional 5-fluorouracil, and intralesional immunotherapy (Candida, PPD, measles antigens) — for refractory warts, inducing a delayed hypersensitivity response that clears warts at distant sites too.
• Photodynamic therapy, pulsed-dye laser (targets the capillary loops), saturated saline immersion (recent RCT evidence), and candidal antigen immunotherapy.
• Retinoids (topical or oral acitretin) for extensive refractory disease, especially in immunocompromise.^[6][4]

Intralesional therapies (refractory disease)

For warts that have failed first- and second-line destructive approaches, intralesional injection delivers drug directly into the wart and surrounding dermis and provokes a host immune response. The best-studied agents are MMR vaccine, purified protein derivative (PPD), Candida antigen, and vitamin D3: ^[17]

• Intralesional Candida antigen — a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to a recall antigen that stimulates host immunity and clears both the injected wart and distant untreated lesions. In RCT meta-analysis, complete clearance is significantly better than saline (RR 5.39) and comparable to other immunotherapies (MMR, PPD, vitamin D3, zinc sulphate), with a superior distant-response rate; adverse effects are generally mild and manageable (local injection-site reaction, pain). PPD (tuberculin) and MMR vaccine work on the same recall-antigen principle.^[18][19]
• Intralesional bleomycin — an antineoplastic cytostatic delivered by direct injection or multipuncture/microneedling-assisted techniques; cure rates of 67.8-99.23% are reported for intralesional injection across delivery-method reviews, and a JAAD systematic review found significantly higher cure rates for warts than comparator treatments with no systemic adverse events. Local adverse events: erythema, blackening, eschar formation, superficial ulceration; injection pain is the main drawback and is significantly reduced with microneedling or multipuncture delivery.^[20][21]
• Intralesional MMR vaccine, PPD, and vitamin D3 complete the class: pooled RCT data show complete-response rates of roughly 27-90% (MMR), 45-87% (PPD), and 40-96% (vitamin D3), with injection-site reactions and flu-like symptoms the most frequent adverse events; head-to-head meta-analysis favours MMR over vitamin D3 for complete clearance (vitamin D3 RR 0.85 relative to MMR). Intralesional 5-fluorouracil shows possible benefit in trial data but could not be pooled by Cochrane. ^[17][25][3]

Selection is lesion- and patient-specific: recall-antigen immunotherapy (Candida, MMR, PPD) suits multiple or distant warts because immune stimulation also clears uninjected lesions, while bleomycin offers lesion-directed control of refractory disease. Counsel that scarring, dyspigmentation, and recurrence remain possible, and combination with paring/salicylic acid improves delivery through the hyperkeratotic surface. ^[17][19]

^{[17] [18] [20] [17] [19] [20] [25]}

Plantar and periungual warts

Plantar warts are challenging (pressure, endophytic growth): combine paring, salicylic acid plasters, cryotherapy, and (for refractory) intralesional bleomycin or laser; avoid painful destructive treatments that impair mobility. Periungual warts may distort the nail and are refractory; protect the nail matrix during treatment.^[7][16]

Genital warts

• Patient-applied: podophyllotoxin 0.5% solution/gel or imiquimod 5% cream (immune response modifier). Sinecatechins (green-tea catechin) ointment is another option.
• Clinic-applied: cryotherapy, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), electrocautery, or surgical excision.
• Contraindicated in pregnancy: podophyllotoxin, imiquimod (relative), and podophyllin.
• Counsel on STI screening and HPV vaccination, and the risk of high-risk HPV-associated dysplasia.^[10][11][12]

Prevention — HPV vaccination

Prophylactic HPV vaccination (9-valent, covering HPV-6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) prevents vaccine-type genital warts and HPV-related dysplasia/carcinoma; greatest benefit before sexual debut, with effectiveness decreasing with age and number of partners, and catch-up programmes up to age 26 (and risk-based to 45 in some guidelines). Vaccination also reduces recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. It does not treat existing warts.^[13][14]

Immunocompromise and malignancy

In HIV, transplant, and iatrogenic immunosuppression, warts are often extensive, refractory, and harbour high-risk HPV; management combines retinoids, immunotherapy, and close surveillance for dysplasia and squamous carcinoma. Buschke-Lowenstein tumour (giant condyloma, a verrucous carcinoma) and epidermodysplasia verruciformis-related SCC require surgical oncology.^[2]

Clinical pearl

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Red flags

Exam application bank (NEET-PG / INICET)

One-line answer

Cutaneous and genital warts (verrucae) are benign epithelial proliferations caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of keratinocytes, with distinct HPV types favouring specific clinical morphologies and sites (e.g., HPV-1 plantar, HPV-2/27 common, HPV-3/10 flat, HPV-6/11 genital). Fellowship-level assessment demands mastery of the clinical morphologies and their type associations, the natural history of immune-mediated resolution, the tiered treatment ladder (salicylic acid, cryotherapy, blunt dissection, intralesional and immune therapies) with its evidence base, the special management of refractory, plantar, and periungual disease, genital warts and their HPV-vaccine prevention, and the rare but important malignant transformation (epidermodysplasia verruciformis, HPV-related squamous carcinoma, especially in immunocompromise).

Worked stems (answer without another resource)

Stem 1 — Classic presentation. Map symptoms to mechanism; name the first investigation and first treatment step with dose/route if drug therapy is standard. ^[1]

Stem 2 — Unstable / complicated. List red flags that force immediate resuscitation, theatre, ICU, antidote, or reperfusion — and what you do in the first 15 minutes. ^[1]

Stem 3 — Atypical group. Elderly, pregnancy, child, or immunocompromised: how presentation and thresholds change. ^[1]

Stem 4 — Differential trap. Name the three closest mimics and one discriminator for each. ^[1]

Stem 5 — Disposition. Who goes home with safety-netting, who is admitted, who needs HDU/ICU/theatre, and what follow-up is mandatory. ^[1]

Rapid viva checklist

1. Definition + classification
2. Pathophysiology chain
3. Bedside signs / criteria
4. Score with exact components (if any)
5. Emergency bundle
6. Definitive therapy with doses
7. Complications of disease and of treatment
8. Special populations
9. Guideline/trial name if classic
10. Three exam traps

Coverage self-check

If you cannot answer any stem above from this page alone, re-read the matching section — the page is intended to be self-sufficient for final-prof and NEET-PG/INICET questions on Verrucae and human papillomavirus warts.

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Examination pearl

HPV genotype & vaccine

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HPV-related malignancy: cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancer

Although most HPV infections are cleared by cell-mediated immunity, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types (especially HPV-16 > 18 > 31/33/45/52/58) drives virtually all cervical cancers, the great majority of anal cancers, and a growing share of oropharyngeal cancers. The oncoproteins E6 and E7 inactivate p53 and retinoblastoma (pRB) respectively, allowing unregulated epithelial proliferation, genomic instability, and integration of viral DNA into the host genome — the molecular signature of progression from low-grade dysplasia to high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive carcinoma.^[1][2][15]

Cervical cancer remains the canonical HPV-related malignancy: HPV 16/18 account for ~70% of cases, with HPV 31/33/45/52/58 contributing most of the remainder. Squamous cell carcinoma predominates (~80%); adenocarcinoma (~20%) is increasing in incidence and disproportionately attributable to HPV-18. The natural history runs through cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1 → CIN 2 → CIN 3 / carcinoma in situ → invasive carcinoma), typically over 10-20 years. Primary prevention is HPV vaccination before sexual debut; secondary prevention is cytology with reflex HPV testing (co-testing or primary HPV testing) and colposcopy. 9-valent vaccination prevents ~90% of HPV-attributable cervical cancers in women who are HPV-naive at the time of immunisation.^[1][13][15]

Anal cancer is strongly HPV-driven: HPV-16/18 account for ~90% of anal squamous cell carcinomas. Incidence has been rising for three decades, particularly in men who have sex with men (MSM), people living with HIV (PLWH), women with prior HPV-related vulvar or cervical disease, and solid-organ transplant recipients. The anal cancer precursor is anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) — low-grade (AIN 1) and high-grade (AIN 2/3), analogous to cervical CIN. High-resolution anoscopy (HRA) with biopsy of acetowhite lesions is the diagnostic standard. Anal cytology screening is recommended in HIV-positive adults and high-risk MSM (some guidelines extend to all MSM); treatment of high-grade AIN with topical imiquimod, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), or electrocautery/laser ablation reduces progression to invasive cancer, although long-term data remain limited. The ANCHOR trial demonstrated a 57% reduction in progression to anal cancer with treatment of high-grade AIN in PLWH.^[2][15]

Oropharyngeal cancer (tonsil, base of tongue, soft palate, pharyngeal wall) is the fastest-rising HPV-related malignancy in high-income countries. HPV-16 accounts for ~70% of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC); HPV-18 contributes a small fraction, and the remaining high-risk types add little. The epidemiology is distinct: HPV-positive OPSCC presents in younger patients (median ~55 yr vs ~65 yr for HPV-negative), often without traditional tobacco/alcohol risk, frequently as a small primary tonsillar or base-of-tongue tumour with early cystic nodal metastases. HPV positivity confers a markedly better prognosis (3-year overall survival ~85% vs ~65% for HPV-negative), and treatment is increasingly de-escalated to reduce long-term toxicity (radiotherapy dose reduction, avoidance of cisplatin in low-risk disease). Prevention depends on HPV vaccination; screening is not established.^[2][15]

Other HPV-related cancers include vulvar (HPV-attributable in ~40-60% of cases, especially younger women), vaginal (~75%), penile (~50%, with erythroplasia of Queyrat and Bowenoid papulosis as precursor lesions), and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) — a benign but morbid airway disease caused by HPV-6/11, acquired perinatally in juvenile-onset RRP or sexually in adult-onset RRP, treated by serial laser or microdebrider ablation and cidofovir or bevacizumab for refractory disease.^[1][15]

Rare verruca variants and HPV-associated neoplasia

Several rare entities lie on the spectrum between benign HPV infection and invasive HPV-driven cancer. Each has a characteristic HPV type profile, clinical morphology, malignant potential, and management approach that the fellowship candidate must recognise.^[1][2][5]

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare dermatologic disorder of increased susceptibility to β-human papillomavirus infection with a heightened risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Classically inherited EV is associated with autosomal recessive pathogenic variants in TMC6 (EVER1) or TMC8 (EVER2) (and, more recently recognised, CIB1); an acquired form occurs in immunocompromised individuals, including those with HIV/AIDS, organ transplantation, and autoimmune disease. Both inherited and acquired EV share similar features: widespread flat-topped or hypopigmented papules favouring sun-exposed areas, with characteristic "blue cells" on biopsy. Management remains largely symptomatic — topical and systemic retinoids, immunomodulatory agents, and HPV vaccines have shown variable success — while rigorous photoprotection targets the UV co-carcinogenic hit behind malignant transformation.^[22][2]

Bowenoid papulosis presents as multiple pigmented or erythematous, smooth, flat-topped papules on the genitalia, groin, or perianal area of sexually active young adults (typically 20-40 yr). Histology shows Bowenoid dysplasia / squamous cell carcinoma in situ confined to the epidermis, but the clinical course is benign with spontaneous regression in most immunocompetent patients. HPV-16 (and to a lesser extent HPV-18, -33, -39) is detected in most lesions. Differentiating this from Bowen disease (SCC in situ of the vulva / penis / perianal skin) — a solitary, larger, more persistent, erythematous scaly plaque in older adults with malignant potential — is essential. Treatment options include topical imiquimod 5% (3x/week x 16 weeks), topical 5-FU, cryotherapy, CO₂ laser ablation, electrocautery, or tangential shave excision. Biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and exclude invasive SCC is mandatory; long-term follow-up is advised in immunocompromised patients because progression to invasive SCC is reported.^[2][15]

Focal epithelial hyperplasia (Heck disease) is a benign HPV-13 and HPV-32 infection of the oral mucosa, presenting as multiple soft, sessile, pale papules on the lips, buccal mucosa, lateral tongue, and gingiva, often in children. It is particularly common in indigenous populations of the Americas (Inuit, First Nations, Amazonian), sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of the Middle East. The condition is usually self-limiting over months to years; treatment is reserved for cosmetically significant or symptomatic lesions and includes CO₂ laser ablation, electrocautery, topical imiquimod, or surgical excision. Malignant transformation is exceptional; the differential includes molluscum contagiosum, white sponge naevus (autosomal dominant, no HPV), and condyloma acuminatum of the oral mucosa (the latter implies sexual transmission and warrants safeguarding in children).^[2][15]

Verrucous carcinoma is a slow-growing, exophytic, well-differentiated variant of squamous cell carcinoma with minimal cytological atypia but locally destructive behaviour, attributable to HPV (especially HPV-6, -11, -16, -18) in many cutaneous and mucosal variants, with smoking and betel nut as co-factors for oral disease. The clinical pattern depends on site: ^[1]

• Epithelioma cuniculatum — plantar foot, often pretibial in older men; cauliflower-like mass with deep keratin-filled crypts; HPV-6/-11 or HPV-2. Wide local excision or amputation; recurrence is common.
• Buschke-Löwenstein tumour (giant condyloma acuminatum) — anogenital, HPV-6/-11 in most cases; cauliflower-like, locally invasive, can ulcerate and fistulate; malignant transformation in ~30-50%, despite bland histology. Wide local excision, abdominoperineal resection, or concurrent chemoradiotherapy; multidisciplinary surgical oncology input is required.
• Oral florid papillomatosis — oral mucosa, HPV-6/-11/-16; verrucous, carpet-like plaques; malignant transformation reported.
• Papillomatosis cutis carcinoides — extremely rare cutaneous variant elsewhere on the skin. ^[1]

Biopsy depth must include the full thickness of the lesion because superficially-biopsied verrucous carcinoma looks like a simple wart; biopsy the base / a representative full-thickness area to identify invasive keratinocyte infiltration. Radiological staging (MRI pelvis for Buschke-Löwenstein, MRI foot for epithelioma cuniculatum) defines the extent of local invasion and helps plan resection or radiotherapy.^[1][2][15]

Specific dosing and prevention: a pragmatic reference

Precise dosing and prevention strategies anchor the fellowship viva and the clinic. The list below summarises evidence-supported regimens for the agents most likely to be examined:^{[3][4][5][9][10][11][12]}

• Topical salicylic acid (12-26% preparations; higher-concentration plasters): apply with prior soaking and weekly paring; Cochrane meta-analysis shows clearance superior to placebo overall (RR 1.56), possibly better on hands than feet. ^[3]
• Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen): repeat treatments at 2-, 3-, or 4-weekly intervals — Cochrane found no significant difference between intervals; aggressive (longer freeze) technique clears more warts but with more adverse effects; cryotherapy is comparable overall to salicylic acid, and combined salicylic acid + cryotherapy beats salicylic acid alone (RR 1.24). ^[3]
• Intralesional bleomycin: delivered by direct injection or multipuncture/microneedling-assisted techniques; cure rates of 67.8-99.23% are reported for injection; pain is significantly less with microneedling and multipuncture; local adverse events are erythema, blackening, eschar formation, and superficial ulceration, without reported systemic toxicity. ^[20][21]
• Intralesional Candida antigen: recall-antigen immunotherapy repeated over sessions; complete clearance superior to saline (RR 5.39) with mild, manageable adverse effects and a superior distant-response rate. ^[18]
• Intralesional MMR vaccine: the most-studied intralesional agent, with complete-response rates of 27-90% across randomised trials; injection-site reactions and flu-like symptoms are typical. ^[17]
• Intralesional 5-fluorouracil: antimetabolite option studied in trials that Cochrane could not pool; cheaper and generally less painful than bleomycin where used. ^[3]
• Intralesional vitamin D3: low-cost adjunct with pooled complete-response rates of 40-96% across randomised trials; more swelling than MMR in direct comparison. ^[17][25]
• Topical imiquimod 5% cream: apply three nights per week for up to 16 weeks; leave on for 6-10 hours; wash off with mild soap; safe in non-pregnant adults; common local irritation.
• Topical podophyllotoxin 0.5% solution or gel: apply twice daily for 3 consecutive days, then 4 days off; repeat for up to 4 weeks; treat only visible warts (≤10 cm² total); avoid in pregnancy.
• Sinecatechins 15% ointment (Veregen): apply three times daily for up to 16 weeks; the only FDA-approved genital-wart therapy that is safe in pregnancy.
• Provider-applied trichloroacetic acid 80-90% (TCA): paint on wart weekly; allow to frost, neutralise with saline; residual hypopigmentation common.
• Oral retinoids for extensive or EV-associated disease: topical or systemic retinoids are mainstay options in EV, with variable success; teratogenicity mandates contraception and washout periods per local protocols. ^[22]

HPV vaccination specifics (Gardasil-9 / 9-valent HPV vaccine, covering HPV-6, -11, -16, -18, -31, -33, -45, -52, -58):^{[13][14][23][24]}

• Routine schedule: 2-dose series for ages 9-14 years at initiation; 3-dose series for ages 15-26 years and for immunocompromised persons.^[23]
• Catch-up through age 26 for all; shared clinical decision-making for ages 27-45 (ACIP).^[24]
• Dose: 0.5 mL intramuscular deltoid.
• Effectiveness: ~90% protection against HPV-6/11 genital warts and HPV-16/18 cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancer when administered before sexual debut; partial but real benefit after exposure.
• Safety: predominantly local reactions (pain, erythema); syncope post-vaccination (observe 15 min); no causal link to autoimmune disease or infertility.
• Immunocompromised patients (HIV, transplant): 3-dose series; seroconversion rates are high but titres lower than in immunocompetent peers; consider post-vaccination anti-HPV antibody testing in select transplant recipients.
• Pregnancy: defer; no teratogenic signal but data limited; vaccine can be resumed postpartum.
• Booster doses: not currently recommended; durable protection 15-20+ years in follow-up studies.
• Therapeutic use (after HPV exposure): does NOT treat established infection; reduces recurrence after conisation/LOOP/LLETZ for CIN and after surgical excision of anal and oropharyngeal HPV-related disease (per Kechagias 2022 meta-analysis).^[14]

Secondary prevention / screening: ^[1]

• Cervical screening: cytology alone (age 21-29, every 3 yr); co-testing or primary HPV testing (age 25-65, every 5 yr); HPV-vaccinated women should still be screened because the vaccine does not cover all oncogenic types and may wane in late life.
• Anal cytology in HIV-positive adults and high-risk MSM; HRA if cytology abnormal.
• Oropharyngeal screening: not recommended; primary prevention via HPV vaccination is the only validated population strategy.^[13][15]

Behavioural and environmental prevention: condom use reduces but does not eliminate HPV transmission (HPV is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact not just by fluids); limiting partners, delaying sexual debut, and male circumcision reduce but do not abolish acquisition; avoid sharing towels, razors, and footwear to limit cutaneous HPV spread; cover plantar warts in swimming pools and gyms.^[1][10]

^{[3] [5] [9]}

HPV vaccine schedule

References25ShowHide

1. [1]Wolf J, Kist LF, Pereira SB, et al. Human papillomavirus infection: Epidemiology, biology, host interactions, cancer development, prevention, and therapeutics Rev Med Virol, 2024.PMID 38666757
2. [2]Jensen JE, Becker GL, Jackson JB, et al. Human Papillomavirus and Associated Cancers: A Review Viruses, 2024.PMID 38793561
3. [3]Kwok CS, Gibbs S, Bennett C, et al. Topical treatments for cutaneous warts Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2012.PMID 22972052
4. [4]García-Oreja S, Álvaro-Afonso FJ, García-Álvarez Y, et al. Topical treatment for plantar warts: A systematic review Dermatol Ther, 2021.PMID 33263934
5. [5]Kore VB, Anjankar A. A Comprehensive Review of Treatment Approaches for Cutaneous and Genital Warts Cureus, 2023.PMID 38022045
6. [6]Xu Y, Li T, Liang X, et al. Saturated saline immersion for the treatment of refractory plantar warts: An open-label, one-arm, single-center trial J Am Acad Dermatol, 2026.PMID 41072585
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