Pediatric emergency medicine trisk 1804 1804

FIGURE 88.2 Child with lesion of molluscum.

Warts
Warts affect 7% to 10% of the population and are one of the most common
dermatologic problems encountered in pediatrics. The peak incidence is during
adolescence. Sixty-five percent of common warts disappear spontaneously within
2 years, and 40% of plantar warts disappear within 6 months in prepubertal
children. However, immunosuppressed patients may experience extensive spread
of the lesions.
The common wart resembles a tiny cauliflower. Lesions disrupt the natural skin
lines and may also manifest with small black dots, representing thrombosed
capillaries. The shape of the wart varies with its location on the skin. They may
be long and slender (filiform) on the face and neck or flat (verruca plana) on the
face, arms, and knees. When located on the soles, they are called plantar warts ,
and when in the anogenital area, they are referred to as condyloma acuminata.