Wart
A local growth of the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) caused by a virus. The virus of warts (a papillomavirus) is transmitted by contact. The contact can be with a wart on someone else or one on oneself (autoinoculation).
Warts that occur on the hands or top of the feet are called “common warts.” A wart on the sole (the plantar surface) of the foot is a plantar wart (and can be quite painful). Genital (venereal) warts are located on the genitals and are transmitted by sexual contact; they are a form of STD (sexually transmitted disease).
Warts are nothing new. The word “wart” is from Old English. As far back as the 8th century, a “wart” was, well, a wart.
The medical name for a wart is “verruca”, the Latin for wart. A common wart is a “verruca vulgaris”. A wart in medicine is also sometimes called by its Spanish name, “verruga”.
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- Wart, genital
A wart that is confined primarily to the moist skin of the genitals. These warts are due to viruses belonging to the family of human papilloma viruses (HPVs) which are transmitted through sexual contact. The virus can also be transmitted from mother to baby during childbirth. Most people infected with HPV have no symptoms but […]
- Warts, plantar
Warts that grow on the soles of the feet. Plantar warts are different from most other warts. They tend to be flat and cause the buildup of the top layer of the skin (that has to be peeled away before the plantar wart itself can be seen. They can be quite painful. Plantar warts are […]
- Wasp sting
A sting from a wasp, which can trigger allergic reactions that vary greatly in severity. Avoidance and prompt treatment are essential. In some cases, allergy injection therapy is highly effective.
- Wasting
1. Gradual loss (for example, of weight), deterioration, emaciation. As in a wasting disease. 2. Excessive depletion. As in salt wasting, the excessive loss of salt.
- Watchful waiting
Closely monitoring a patient’s condition but withholding therapy until the sign and symptom appear or change. Also called observation.