Hi Doctors,
I had a question related to my original post:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Genital-Warts/show/1860714
Basically, last July a dermatologist froze three textbook looking warts…and during my first follow-up I showed him two other places and he prescribed Zyclara to treat the them. Well, one of the ones treated with Zyclara seemed to flake off around October 1st, and I stopped using Zyclara on October 23rd. To keep my sanity I decided not to check the area for a while…but about 1 ½ months ago I checked and the one that flaked off near the circumcision scar seemed to be gone when flaccid…but when I stretch the skin tight, like when erect, I can see a very small flesh-colored bump near, or perhaps right at, the original site. It is mostly round, barely raised, flat and perhaps 1.5-2mm across when the skin is stretched. To be honest, it is somewhat hard to see…but in the right light I can definitely see it and I can also feel it when I run my finger across it. Thus, I’m not sure if it never fully went away and is the original…a recurrence…or a totally different bump. Normally, I wouldn’t think anything of it…but it concerns me as it is at the same spot as the original. I’ve scheduled an appt. with my dermatologist, but had a few questions before I go:
1. I understand that it may be hard for him to make a visual diagnosis since it is so small…but if he’s not sure I think I will go ahead and have him freeze it. However, what do you usually recommend to your patients in this type of situation? That is, if you aren’t sure if it is a wart because it is so small, do you recommend freezing, wait-and-see or biopsy?
2. Can warts be so small that you can only see when the skin is stretched?
3. How would a biopsy typically be done on an area like the one I describe? And how long does it usually take to heal…and will it scar? I’m considering a biopsy as my doc is also a Dermatopathologist.
Thanks in advance for your wisdom!