[Question #11649] Concerns about wart regrowth
13 months ago
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Hello,
Let me start by thanking you for what you do here. I have read through many of your responses, and find them to be incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and well written. I believe you are making a huge difference for your readers, and I am grateful for your time and efforts.
I was recently found to have three small (probable) warts diagnosed visually by a dermatologist and treated with cryotherapy. I believe there may be very, very small regrowth at one of the treatment sites, visible only with magnification. I am worried this cycle of cryotherapy and subsequent local return will continue to happen over and over, for months or years.
1) how common is regrowth locally at the site of treatment? Is it a bad sign if it requires more than one cryotherapy session to treat a wart?
2) are there recommended time intervals for repeat treatment or visual inspection by a professional for someone dealing with warts?
3) I have read on other responses that early data surrounding the effect of the vaccine on present/past infections is encouraging. However, I have not been able to find this research. Do you know where I might?
Thank you for what you do!
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
13 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions, as well as for reviewing some of the other posts on our site. We encourage clients to use them for information.
1) how common is regrowth locally at the site of treatment? Is it a bad sign if it requires more than one cryotherapy session to treat a wart?
It is not a bad sign if a wart recurs. This happens about 30-40% of the time after wart treatment. The reason this happens is because visible warts may be more extensive below the skin that the portion that is visible- picture it as sort of being like and iceberg with infection being present under normal appearing skin. Please verify that this may be a recurrence with your dermatologist- there are many irregularities in the skin.
2) are there recommended time intervals for repeat treatment or visual inspection by a professional for someone dealing with warts?
I would first verify that it is HPV with your dermatologist, them let him/her make the call regarding recurrence.
3) I have read on other responses that early data surrounding the effect of the vaccine on present/past infections is encouraging. However, I have not been able to find this research. Do you know where I might?
There are no formal studies. Rather this is an impression mentioned in discussions with HPV-focused scientists
I hope this information is helpful. i would not be particularly worried about the implications of a recurrence, if that is what is going on. EWH
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