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Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery

Written by Dr. Ringpfeil

Warts

Warts - Overview

Warts are benign tumors that can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on hands and feet. The most common type of wart is asymptomatic; it is skin-colored and has a slightly raised rippled surface. Plantar warts on the soles of the feet often cause pain if they are near pressure points. If many plantar warts grow together, they are referred to as mosaic warts. Warts on the face tend to appear flat but may easily spread through shaving or waxing. Genital warts are skin-colored or brown and pose a significant health problem as some of the subtypes cause cervical cancer. Almost all warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), with many different subtypes being responsible for warts forming in various areas of the body. An individual can acquire warts from any object that harbors the virus such as dirty towels or shoes, but commonly people infect others through touch.

Warts - Diagnosis

In most instances, the diagnosis is made through recognition of characteristic features on physical examination. Rarely, a biopsy is needed especially if a cancerous transformation is suspected.

Warts - Treatment

Asymptomatic warts in non-genital areas do not need to be treated as the body will resolve them within 2-5 years. When warts are painful, bleeding, or even spreading, treatment is recommended. Unfortunately, there is no iron-clad treatment known to eradicate the human papillomavirus. Younger warts seem to respond to treatment faster than long-standing warts.

Most methodologies aim at triggering the body to recognize the root virus as a foreign object and resolve it with its own immune response. Treatment can be performed at home with keratolytic agents such as daily application of salicylic acid solution or tape, as well as duct tape. In addition, there are immune-system stimulating agents such as imiquimod or toxic agents such as podophyllin or glutaraldehyde.

If at-home treatments are ineffective, in-office treatments can booster the effects. They include monthly application of liquid nitrogen, podophyllin, cantharidin, trichloracetic acid, or pulsed dye laser. Rarely, chemotherapeutic or immune modifying substances are injected into the wart, or sensitization with DNCB or squaric acid is performed. Simple excision is as ineffective as any of the other methods yet may leave the virus behind in a scar, complicating treatment further. Therefore it has largely been abandoned for warts on hands and feet.

Coping with Warts

Fortunately, warts are fairly inconspicuous and most people will not notice them even while in public. Warts on the feet are usually concealed by shoes and even warts on the hand are not large enough to draw attention. Seeking immediate treatment can eliminate the wart in as little as two weeks. Genital warts often pose a strain on any relationship. Recurrences of warts are common as the human papillomavirus is not always eliminated at the time of clinical resolution of warts.

Warts - Prevention

Since the wart is caused by a virus, eliminating sources will prevent contracting the disease. Also, if a wart is spotted, avoid frequent touching or picking because the virus can shed from the skin and then pass to surrounding skin or other people. Open wounds and moist skin promote the contraction of the virus. So bandage all wounds and avoid wearing wet socks. Since the virus is most commonly transmitted from person to person, wearing sandals in public locker rooms decreases the risk of contracting plantar warts. Condoms should be used if genital warts are present.

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SKIN

# of surveys: 4030
Last updated: 6/27/2023 11:10 AM

PATIENT RATINGS

Would you recommend us?

definitely
93.1%
probably
6.16%
maybe
0.58%
not likely
0.08%
no
0.02%

Compare our service to other similar practices

excellent
87.9%
very good
10.1%
good
1.8%
poor
0.06%
very poor
0%

Overall doctor performance

excellent
94.2%
very good
4.89%
good
0.80%
poor
0.03%
very poor
0%

The doctor listened to you attentively

excellent
93.9%
very good
4.97%
good
1.05%
poor
0.05%
very poor
0%

The doctor took time to answer your questions

excellent
94.0%
very good
4.66%
good
1.27%
poor
0.02%
very poor
0%

The doctor explained treatment options

excellent
94.3%
very good
4.16%
good
1.25%
poor
0.14%
very poor
0.02%

The doctor explained treatment options

excellent
92.0%
very good
5.69%
good
2.18%
poor
0.11%
very poor
0.0%

Front desk performance

excellent
85.6%
very good
10.2%
good
3.66%
poor
0.31%
very poor
0.08%

Aesthetician performance

excellent
88.6%
very good
7.61%
good
3.39%
poor
0.24%
very poor
0.08%

Office comfort

excellent
90.9%
very good
6.93%
good
2.08%
poor
0.05%
very poor
0.05%

Parking

excellent
66.4%
very good
14.4%
good
15.7%
poor
2.49%
very poor
0.9%

Friendliness of the staff during appointment

excellent
90.9%
very good
7.23%
good
1.85%
poor
0.05%
very poor
0%

What WE DID WELL

(Answers:674)

Patience and Politiness

#12023-06-14

The doctor and medical assistant took time to explain all of my treatment options and to answer all of my questions completely and honestly.

#22023-06-29

The professionalism of the staff and doctor. Everyone was easy to talk to and my questions were answered.

#32023-02-14

The neatness of the clinic and the efficency of the staff and the doctor. Dr. Ring fieil was wonderful and knows her fireld, i have been to several dermatologists and finally I found the one who knows what she is talking about.

#42023-06-19

Excellent service, did not have to wait long to be seen!

#52023-09-13

We liked that Dr. Ringpfeil explained everything to us and made my daugther (almost 6 yo) feel very comfortable in the office. She was very friendly, kind and professional.

#62023-01-29

Punctuality of apointment.

#72022-12-16

I appreciate not being sold on any products I don't want or need :)

#82011-04-12 08:22:32

The doctor was very thorough and pleasant. Having Melissa take notes was an excellent strategy for covering so much information in a short amount of time.

#92023-03-20

Everything

#102023-06-26

What can we do better?

(answers:373)

Offer a male of female medical assistant and ask if opposite sex assistant is okay

#12011-06-02 13:39:55

Just keep doing what the company is doing and yall will be fine. no problems at all i will refer anybody to this compnay

#22023-03-05

don't change a thing, you guys are the best! Please send me Real Estate Referrals, thanks

#32010-09-30 09:51:55

If you continue the same level of care that I received today, I will be thrilled.

#42023-04-20

Having Lip Gloss we can give others to let others know about you.

#52022-10-17

I have zero complaints--top notch service from booking of appointment to treatment to checkout.

#62011-07-26 14:19:25

any information on services provided for enhancing skin apperance

#72023-08-05

Overall excellent service. Friendly front desk staff. A very small suggestion would be to have someone immediately identify themselves as the person to register a new patient and direct where to go when someone enters the waiting room. With a big waiting room and three people at the front desk, it is a lot to take in and not know to whom to speak. Having had negative experiences with doctors' receptionists where all three of the three people at the front desk have ignored me until I called out and forced a response, I am sensitive to the issue and imagine others have had this experience as well.

#82011-01-31 10:42:48

Keep it up!

#92023-08-13

Impossible! Best medical office experience possible.

#102011-10-17 16:27:23

Customer Rating : 4.6

Based on 402 ratings
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