Warts and autoimmune issues

[Karenlee]

Just wanted to know how many of you have ever had warts at any time before your diagnosis with any autoimmune issues you have. I forgot all about having them as a teenager until a couple of days ago and read that some types of warts are due to autoimmune issues. I had them on my hands when I was about 14-15 years old, so this could very well have been the beginning for me.

 

Thanks for your input.

Karen

[Sweet]

I had numerous warts as a child.

[Buttons]

I've had a few warts as well Karen, I had them on my fingers which had to be removed they got so big. It was in my thirties and not long afterwards I started with Raynaud's. I have also had weird growths on my stomach & forearms which have each been removed. Not sure wether there is any connection though.

 

Jensue

[jefa]

Keep in mind that I am not a doctor, but a quick research foray finds several sources which say that warts are caused by any of 80 or more related human papillomaviruses. Here is a link to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library article on Warts which has the most complete information including pictures of the various kinds.

 

People with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to the viruses that cause warts. Autoimmune disorders are those in which the body's immune system mistakenly begins to attack itself. Problems with autoimmuity do not necessarily mean that there is a compromised immune system.

 

Here is a link to our page on Autoimmunity for further reading.

[Shelley Ensz]

I found this quite interesting! I never knew there was any sort of connection between warts and autoimmunity. Thank you for introducing the topic, KarenLee, and thank you for the links, Jefa.

 

I just found this one, Cutaneous warts in patients with lupus erythematosus. The findings suggest that the high prevalence of cutaneous warts in patients with lupus is probably due to defects in some immune mechanisms, independently of immunosuppressive drugs. Rheumatology International, Volume 24, Number 3 / May, 2004.

[Bird Lady]

I had warts as a child but my parents always said it was from playing with toads. (I didn't really play with toads) . Since diagnosed with sclero I have developed a patch of warts on one elbow. Birdman

[truman]

Or he to you. I have read where Sclero can be cause by fetus cells remaining after birth.

[fri83]

has anyone heard of any connection with skin tags or moles? I suddenly have a few ones on my neck in one area.

[KathrynF]

This question comes at just the right time.  I have had a cluster of warts on the bottom of my foot for years.  I've tried everything - dozens of appointments at the dermatologist having them frozen off and even surgically removed twice - they only grew back.  I was just diagnosed with Sjogren's disease (an autoimmune disease much like Lupus) and was put on Hydroxychlorquine about a month ago.  My warts have disappeared on their own.

 

Thought this might be interesting to some.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kathy

 

 

 

[Joelf]

Hi Kathy,

 

Welcome to these forums!

 

I'm sorry to hear that you've recently been diagnosed with Sjogren's.

 

Your post regarding your warts is interesting to me as well. I have a cluster of warts on my forehead (thankfully under my fringe!) and I periodically use a local preparation to remove them, but as you say, they tend to be a bit persistent. However, I do take a cocktail of other drugs, so don't really want to bombard my liver with any more.

 

Kind regards,

[Kathy D]

Hi,

 

I had many warts removed as a child, dear sister and dear mother shamed me terribly about them (roll eyes).  Over 30 years later I now have circled flat patches appearing that I am guessing are warts too.  I am too taxed to keep up with a child and other doctor appts/ daily tasks so the "warts" if they are warts will wait.  Not sure about the relationship but my lady visits show negative on HPV.  I'd love to hear more info on this for sure!

[Earl McCalla]

I was diagnosed with scleroderma five years ago. One of the symptoms before being diagnosed was that my neck warts dried up and disappeared.
 

Could it be that my overactive immune system was fighting the warts?

 

[Joelf]

Hi Earl,

 

Welcome to these forums!

 

Well, it's possible that your immune system could be involved with the disappearance of your warts, which are caused by a virus. As a matter of fact, I do have quite a few warts which, if anything, have become worse since I've had scleroderma, so it's not necessarily the case that my immune system is getting rid of them; rather the other way round.

 

However, if you're finding them bothersome, the best person to advise you is your scleroderma specialist.

 

Kind regards,

[dimarzio]

Rub them with bacon fat and bury it in the garden, my Granny used to say.  Strangely, it sermed to work