Warts

Dear Dr. Jen,
I have a wart on my hand and also around my neck.  My partner also has the same warts on his neck.  How contagious are warts?  And where or how could we have gotten these?

Giselle

Dear Giselle,

Warts on the fingers are most likely to be viral in nature.  The medical term for them is verruca vulgaris. They must be removed the soonest possible time because they are contagious via skin-to-skin contact. The hands are also touching so many things like towels, door knobs, elevator buttons, hand rails and such, and you won’t really know where you got them to begin with.

The “warts” on your neck may be a different matter altogether.  These are probably not of the same nature of viral warts as on your finger, but are just the usual skin tags.  Skin tags, or dermatosis papulosa nigricans, are not infectious.  They are likely caused by multiple factors such as genetics, friction and sun exposure.  If you take a look at your parents or grandparents and you see a lot of skin tags on the neck or brown spots on the face and arms, then there’s your answer! You must have inherited the same traits for developing skin tags.

Removal of warts on the fingers is through cautery, laser, or liquid nitrogen.  The wart must be thoroughly removed to avoid recurrence and spreading to the other areas.  The skin tags on the neck can also be removed by the same means. However, since the neck tags are not contagious, you can hold off in removing them at a more convenient time.

Dear Dr. Jen,

I have whitish spots all over my body.  They sometimes go away after a while. My doctor has been medicating me with some tincture to make my skin darker.  Is this vitiligo or something else? How do I know for sure what it is.

Mia

Dear Mia,

White spots on the body are easily misdiagnosed as vitiligo or fungal infection.  The white spots in vitiligo are usually paper-white in color. This can be biopsied to confirm the diagnosis.  Treatment involves anti-inflammatory agents as well as re-pigmenting medications.

Ringworm and pityriasis versicolor, on the other hand, are easily diagnosed because of the their typical location and their “off-white” color.  Fungal infection that can lead to round lesions on the skin are usually located in moist, warm areas of the body.  This includes the underarms, chest, back, and groin.  They can be itchy, especially when you sweat.  Treatment is with an antifungal cream or tablet.

Since you have been suffering with this condition, I suggest you consult with a PDS-trained dermatologist.  To clinch the diagnosis, some scrapings or biopsy can be obtained.  Vitiligo rarely goes away by itself.  It may also be some other skin condition like allergy or skin asthma. Best of luck!

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with the Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). Information on PDS is at www.pds.org.ph. Questions or concerns regarding the skin may be sent by text to 0932 857 7070 or emailed to [email protected]; or coursed thru The Freeman – (032) 2531276, or thru PSH – (032) 2338620 and 2325929. Inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.