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Treating the Etiology of Warts

Warts are due to a virus that lives in the bottom layer of the skin. Warts are not cancerous, but they can be uncomfortable and cause embarrassment. Dr. Amanda Lloyd, a Board-Certified Dermatologist in Encinitas, tailors treatment to address the etiology of warts.

A Virus That Spreads

The virus responsible for warts is one of more than 150 strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV. The HPV that causes warts spreads easily through physical contact. You may get warts from someone else, or from an object that a person with warts touched. Warts may multiply quickly, spreading to other parts of your own body. You are most likely to get warts when your skin is compromised.
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Anyone may get warts, but they are common in:

  • Children and teenagers (from increased person-to-person contact, cuts and scrapes, negligent handwashing
  • People who bite their fingernails or pick at cuticles
  • Those with weakened immune systems
  • Genetic predisposition

Goals of Treatment

Warts are usually raised, skin-colored bumps with a rough texture. However, they may be flat and smooth; brown, gray, or black. Warts can appear on any part of the body. As an experienced dermatologist, Dr. Amanda Lloyd diagnoses warts through visual examination. In some cases, a biopsy is necessary to be certain.

The virus that causes these growths is very good at hiding from the immune system. In Dr. Lloyd’s care, the goal of wart treatment is to get the body’s natural defenses to recognize the virus and attack it. There are a large number of therapies on the market to treat warts. Each wart is unique and requires individualized treatment for speedy resolution.

The best way to eliminate discomfort and prevent the spread of warts is to seek treatment from a Board-Certified dermatologist as soon as a wart appears. Call Skin & Vein Institute at (760) 642-6674 (new patients) or (760) 452-2080 (existing patients).

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Meet Dr. Amanda Lloyd

Dr. Amanda Lloyd

Dr. Amanda Lloyd is a respected Board Certified Dermatologist based in Encinitas, CA, with over 14 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from UCLA Honors College and a medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Dr. Lloyd completed her dermatology residency as chief resident at Baylor University Medical Center. She then was a fellow in Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery after which she became board certified in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology. A Fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery, she is also a member of the AAD and ABVLM. An editor for JAMA Dermatology, Dr. Lloyd contributes to advancing dermatological knowledge. Her dedication to patient care and education underscores her trustworthiness and expertise.

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