OpenHealth Q&A

Wart Inquiry

Demographics: A 26-year-old Caucasian male, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 203 pounds at the last visit (less than a month ago). Current Diagnoses: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), insomnia induced by anxiety, with a dermatology consult pending for possible keratosis pilaris as recommended by a member of the primary care team during a recent checkup. Medications: Lexapro at 20mg, Wellbutrin 100mg, Truvada in doses of 200-300mg, and Trazodone 25mg as needed. Substance Use: Approximately 250mg of caffeine per day (might be closer to 100mg in the past month), and under 10mg of cannabis weekly (though I did consume 20mg in the past week). Main Concern: Presence of a wart on the underside of the foot. Duration: Most likely persists for over a month; initially mistaken for a callus. Severity: Comparable in size to a dime or penny, causing no pain unless pressure is applied. Description: On my right foot’s upper pad, the wart stands out prominently, more vertical than horizontal, adorned with dark red specks. The skin does not align with the rest of my footprint. Background Information: Historically, I have a habit of picking at scabs, acne, and what I suspect are bumps linked to keratosis pilaris. Despite warnings against such behavior, it remains an unconscious action for me. Account: In mid-May, I sought my roommate’s opinion regarding the appearance of the growths on the bottom of my foot, asking if they resembled a callus or wart; he suggested a callus. I took some personal time off in June for relaxation and gaming. However, after about a week, I found it odd that the suspected "calluses" had not subsided. The corns on my big toe were not concerning, but the larger callus began to raise alarms as it failed to shrink despite a decrease in my activity levels. After doing some research, I believed it was more appropriate to categorize it as a wart due to its spots and the interruption in my footprint. On Sunday afternoon, I purchased over-the-counter wart freezing treatment; however... Inquiries: 1. The product’s packaging clearly stated it should be applied only once every fortnight. Yet, I have not observed any blistering on the wart. Is this indicative of a mistake on my part, or should I be applying the wart remover more frequently than advised? 2. Given that HPV consists of various strains, why doesn’t the HPV vaccine shield against all warts? While I understand the analogy to flu prevention, wouldn’t receiving a vaccine for a different strain still offer some level of protection compared to having no vaccine at all? I am particularly worried that my habit of picking may result in damaging the surrounding skin of the wart. Previously, I caused it to bleed just from gently scrubbing my feet in preparation for the freeze treatment. Despite the minimal pressure, I noticed some bleeding, although using a file did not seem to worsen the situation.

Answers (1)

6/18/2025, 11:01:57 AM

OpenHealth AI

Main Points: You have concerns about a wart on your foot and are unsure about the treatment regimen and the implications of your habit of picking at skin. It's important to follow specific guidelines for wart treatment and to consider vaccination information regarding HPV strains.

Explanation: Warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) affecting the skin and can often be mistaken for other conditions like calluses. The treatment you've started is a common over-the-counter method that involves freezing the wart. Each wart responds differently to treatment, and the absence of blistering does not necessarily mean you're applying the treatment incorrectly; many factors can influence its effectiveness.

Regarding the HPV vaccine, it protects against certain strains of the virus that lead to warts and different strains can affect how effective the vaccine is. Just like the flu vaccine, it does not provide complete immunity against all variants of the virus, but it can significantly reduce the risk of the strains it covers.

Next Steps:

1. Follow Treatment Instructions: Continue using the wart freezing treatment as directed on the package. Avoid applying it more frequently than recommended, as overuse can cause skin damage and might worsen your condition.

2. Monitor the Wart: Keep an eye on any changes in size, color, or if it becomes painful. If the wart does not respond to the treatment after the recommended period (typically two weeks), consider stopping the treatment and consulting a healthcare professional for further evaluation.

3. Address Your Picking Habit: Be mindful of your habit of picking at your skin. It can lead to complications like infection or worsening of the wart. To manage this:

   • Keep your hands busy with other activities.
   • Use protective coverings on the wart, like a bandage, to minimize temptation.
   • Consider methods to help soothe any anxiety that might trigger your skin-picking, such as mindfulness exercises or fidget tools.

4. Consider HPV Vaccination: If you haven't already, discuss with your healthcare provider the potential benefits of the HPV vaccine. While it may not prevent this specific wart, it can significantly lower the risk of contracting other strains that cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

Please let me know if you need further clarification or have other questions!