Warts Management in Developing Countries

Warts, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, represent a common dermatological condition with a substantial impact on individuals and healthcare systems in developing countries. This chapter provides an overview of the prevalence, management, challenges, and recommendations for wart management in these regions. Warts affect millions of individuals in developing countries, posing physical discomfort, psychological distress, and potential complications. Although rarely life-threatening, warts can significantly impair the quality of life. The burden of warts extends beyond physical symptoms, with economic and humanistic implications. Costs associated with diagnosis, treatment, and missed workdays due to visible warts can strain already limited healthcare resources and hinder socioeconomic development. Warts result from HPV infection, primarily transmitted through direct skin contact. Risk factors include poor hygiene, immunosuppression, and sexual behaviors, with genital warts linked to increased HPV-related cancer risk. While warts are generally benign, they can cause complications, including pain, bleeding, secondary infections, and psychosocial distress. Untreated warts may lead to scarring and impact the individual’s mental well-being. Warts present in various forms, such as common, plantar, flat, and genital warts. Clinical diagnosis is often straightforward, but biopsy may be required in atypical cases. Management strategies encompass non-pharmacological approaches (e.g., cryotherapy, salicylic acid) and pharmacological treatments (e.g., imiquimod, podophyllin). Monitoring parameters and patient education are integral to effective management. To address the challenges of wart management in developing countries, recommendations include public health education, vaccination programs, telemedicine, community engagement, local treatment modalities, training, data collection, stigma reduction, and partnerships.