Problems with warts

[ruthpen]

I have warts on my fingers that I cannot get rid of. The doctor tells me it is because my immune system is depleted. Does anyone else have the same problem?

[AussieNeil Administrator]

When my neutrophils went into free fall and I got CMV, which further suppresses the immune system, the warts on my hands, which normally aren't obvious or a problem really got worse, so I fully agree with your doctor. I managed to get my warts somewhat under control, but it took a great deal of persistence. (There's also the need to be very careful to avoid the risk of infection from your broken skin from the wart treatment.)

My GP wasn't very encouraging when I asked for suggestions on treatment, saying the warts would always come back. So in summary, I think all you can realistically aim for is to keep them under control and limit their size and spread. Do what you can to improve your immunity by better diet and exercise, get your immunoglobulin levels checked and if you are having problems with general low immunity, perhaps see if you qualify for IGIV transfusions, though that's not supposed to help with viral infections. Chemotherapy isn't likely to improve matters as that also tends to suppress your immunity.

My warts are now back to acceptable levels despite gradually falling immunoglobulin levels. I'm still in W&W, but I think that warts, fungal infections and other chronic infections can be a bellwether for your general immunity levels irrespective of blood test results - my haematologist says your body does somewhat adjust to living with a poorer immune system.

Hopefully someone else has some better suggestions for you and me!

Neil

[teakbank12]

Hands & feet are covered in warts, hands have had cryo monthly for last year to no effect.

Feet I see a podiatrist weekly to remove/file down.

Dermatologist has just signed me off yesterday after a year of attending saying he can offer no more, I was taking acitretin (sorry spelling) but it has not worked & made me feel I'll.

I have CLL & Crohns disease am taking immunosuppressant Azathioprine so my systems messed up.

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

I looked in the archives of a couple of groups and found some interesting responses from people who I know to not be the type to fabricate. The first was posted by three different people - apply caster oil twice a day. The second I will just copy.

FYI Elastoplast is a stretchy very sticky cloth adhesive. I believe there are similar things available now, as my dog, after a recent surgery had what looked like the same product to secure the bandage. The only time this dog has ever growled or backed away from me was when I tried to pull the tape off. I just cut the part around the gauze off and let the rest come off on it's own. A month later she still has a white stripe around her black body from the adhesive that remains. I have seen similar ideas using duct tape instead of elastoplast.

From Karni

A little background: 25 or more years ago, I went to Stanford University

Hospital in CA, near where I lived at the time, about a painful cluster of

10-15 warts on the sole of one foot. The intern and attending doctor were

talking with me in the examining room, not certain what to do because the

warts were so deep. A senior resident happened to be walking by, overheard,

and came in to suggest the following (which worked wonderfully!):

1) Apply strong salicylic acid crème/ointment to the tops of the warts in

the evening.

2) Cover the area with plastic wrap overnight, sealed around the edges with

adhesive or other tape that would keep it moist and warm. (This allows the

wart tissue to "macerate," or become soft and mushy.)

3) In the morning, remove the plastic wrap. The warts appear each like

miniature volcanoes (raised up out of the foot with a depression in the

middle). Apply a patch of Elastoplast, a thick, elastic bandage that is

self-adhesive on one side (kind of thick like moleskin except that it

stretches). The Elastoplast should be big enough to stick to normal skin

around the wart area so it stays in place on the foot during the day.

4) In the evening, lift off the Elastoplast. The softened, raised parts of

the warts come off with it.

5) Repeat with salicylic acid and plastic wrap each evening and Elastoplast

in the morning until there is no more wart tissue left.

This procedure took me about a month but got rid of the deep warts, which

never came back. Basically, what seemed to be happening was that the wart

tissue was being lifted gradually out of the sole of my foot and removed in

layers. The two doctors in the room with me at the time had never heard of the method. I suspect a reason it isn't better known is that there was no

commercial advantage to it. As the senior doc explained to me when he

outlined it, it didn't require medical supervision, and it didn't involve

any potential for new product development. All I needed was already

available.

_____________________________________________________________

Another CLLer put a square of banana peel over his warts every night and covered it with a bandage.

_____________________________________________________________

From Chris on another site a few years ago

Warts are Human Papillomavirus or HPVs, that we all carry. Certainly it is not uncommon for CLL patients to have outbreaks even a year or more after treatment...

Chaya did something on this last year

updates.clltopics.org/2182-...

_____________________________________________________________

If you google Castor Oil and warts a couple of sites have whole lists of natural treatments, including variations of the ones above. I absolutely would not try the one which involves sticking a needle into the wart and I would probably not file things down as I wouldn't want to overdo it and end up with an open sore. If you use a file, use a new one every time. I think I would skip the garlic also, unless I was going to be out in the woods on a camping trip away from other people.

As with all things, it's a good idea to fly anything you intend to try by your doctor. Some of these are seemingly harmless enough, and would be good for a laugh later if they didn't work, but your doctor may have a reason for advising against one or more of these.

Pat

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to MsLockYourPosts]

Green tea ointment has been FDA approved for the treatment of genital warts ... More here.. medscape.com/viewarticle/76...

[Myrddin]

Had warts on my hand when I was young. I had had no recurrence till after being diagnosed. A large wart on my leg. I managed to get rid of it by freezing with minimal damage to the surrounding area. Took over a month but seems to be gone now.

[ruthpen]

Many thanks. I will try both of these suggestions and let you know if I have any success!

[MartyR]

Hey Ruth,

Since my last treatment of FCR (Completed in Jan 2012 - I also have extensive number of warts on my hands. My dermatologist has tried various tablets and lotions - which generally keep them under control - but never noticeably disappear. The main ones being Acitretin and the "paint" that is applied individually.

As my warts are all over my hands - it is easier to use Disposable Plastic Gloves after applying a suitable cream (Nivea or E45) and sometimes caster oil.

Yes this does soften and mean you can scratch / rub off the softened wart - but until my immune levels are better - these warts are just a "side-ettects" - [ which is bearable compared to other side effects.]

I have just started my 2nd round Chemo Treatment of B + R and a 50/50 chance of a new trial drug OR Placebo AND included is a FOUR weekly course of IVIG - which helps to boost my immune levels - and whilst you live with them every day - the warts do appear to be diminishing!

The main problem I find is the large number of Warts on both hands - circa 50 - 70 ( which might join.) AND then have the dedication to treat them individually! HENCE the "blanket attack" of applying cream and disposable gloves!

Regards

Marty.

[ruthpen in reply to MartyR]

Well that certainly puts things into perspective for me! My seven warts seem totally insignificant compared to the number you are coping with! Good luck with your 2nd round of treatment. My consultant told me that some people find that their warts disappear while they are on treatment. It didn't happen with mine. I hope the treatment helps yours!

All the best

Ruth

[Hidden]

I have 4 warts and have been been given the cold treatment but to now avail they are not to bad except the one on peter pointer that keeps splitting.

Jules

[akshayv2]

I have to admit I had a small problem in the first week with the shoe rubbing against the tendon in the back of my leg. I developed quite the blister After the shoe stretched a bit, all was good. The Chicane is so comfortable to wear and that's a good thing because I work on a cement floors and do a lot of standing and walking. orthofeet shoes are a godsend in my opinion.