Verrucas. Guidelines for management

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Virology

Background:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are highly prevalent, affecting most individuals during their lifetime.
• Diagnosis of HPV-related conditions, such as warts, is typically straightforward via clinical examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the challenges and current treatment modalities for human papillomavirus (HPV) infections.
• To discuss indications for treatment, factors influencing clearance rates, and the spectrum of available therapeutic options.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on human papillomavirus (HPV) diagnosis and treatment.
• Categorization of treatment approaches including destructive, antimitotic, immune-stimulating, and virucidal agents.
• Analysis of factors affecting treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• Treatment for HPV-induced warts presents challenges, with varying clearance rates influenced by patient age and infection duration.
• A wide array of treatments exist, including destructive methods, antimitotics, immune stimulants, and virucidal agents, none offering a universally effective solution.
• Spontaneous resolution occurs, and for treated cases, simpler, well-tolerated therapies are recommended initially.

Conclusions:

• There is currently no single, highly effective treatment for viral warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Future research should focus on developing specific, safe, effective, and affordable antiviral agents for HPV.
• Personalized treatment strategies, starting with less invasive options, are advisable for patients seeking intervention for HPV warts.