Skin wart

Human papilloma viruses (HPVs) are a group of DNA viruses that cause a wide range of disease including warts and verrucae (plantar warts i.e. warts on the feet). More than 100 HPV types have been described, and life-threatening disease can result, when the virus causes mutation in the cell leading to cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus and penis. HPV is also associated with numerous other tumours including non melanoma skin cancer, oral, tonsillar, and conjunctival cancer. ICVT is not currently being examined as a treatment of skin or cervical cancer.

HPV infection is also the cause of skin and plantar warts (verrucae) and condyloma accuminata (genital warts), which are numerically the most common form of the infection. Most people will experience infection with HPV at some time of their life. The prevalence of simple warts in children in the Northern Hemisphere are estimated between 3.9% and 4.9%7 and up to 20% in young adults. These lesions often require treatment as they may be painful, unsightly or cause occupational difficulty. Warts in those with compromised immunity are much more troublesome and resistant to treatment.