verruca plana (flat wart)

Etiology

• all warts are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV)
• HPV types 3,10
• HPV exposure in connection with superficial injury

Epidemiology

• children & young adults
• contagious

Clinical manifestations

• generally occur on the extremities & face, especially eyelid
• slightly raised sessile lesion
• smooth, flat topped
• skin-colored or slightly darker
• trauma of shaving my produce autoinnoculation on the face

Management

• watch & wait, some disappear with time
• retinoic acid 0.05% solution or 0.5% cream
  • apply daily until desquamation occurs
  • local irritation is major adverse effect
• topical salicylic acid, cryotherapy, imiquimod, laser therapy
• 5-fluorouracil for recalcitrant flat warts

More general terms

• verruca

Additional terms

• papillomavirus