Diagnosis
Because of their typical appearance, dell’s warts are almost always a visual diagnosis for a doctor. Especially in the early stages, however, it is also possible that the appearance of dell’s warts is similar to other skin changes, such as common warts (verrucae vulgares), genital warts (condylomata acuminata) or fat deposits (xanthomas). In these rare unclear cases, a tissue sample can be taken and examined under the microscope (histological examination), which will then allow the diagnosis to be definitively confirmed and at the same time rule out any malignant changes.
. The therapy of Dell’s warts is not necessary for all patients. The skin changes often regress spontaneously within six to eighteen months.
However, as this regression period can sometimes be very long and there is no guarantee that this regression will take place at all, it is often decided to treat molluscicles after all, especially if they cause discomfort to the patient. There are several options for treatment. In most cases, the molluscicles are removed mechanically.
Usually they are removed with a so-called “sharp spoon” (the procedure is called curettage). This is a hand-held surgical instrument that has a spoon-like end with sharp edges, which is used to scrape off tissue growths. Dell’s warts can also be scraped off with specially bent tweezers.
It is also possible to carve the molluscs and then squeeze them out with a special pair of tweezers. It is important that this procedure is followed by a thorough disinfection of the skin so that the viruses cannot spread through the skin. All the above treatments are usually performed under local anaesthesia, only in exceptional cases (for example, in small children or if the skin is affected over a very large area) is general anaesthesia recommended.
An alternative is icing (cryotherapy). This form of therapy uses freezing techniques (for example, using liquid nitrogen, which is about -196°C cold), which have the effect of destroying pathologically altered tissue. Dell’s warts can also be removed using a specific pulsed dye laser.
Another option is the drug treatment of the molluscicles. This can usually be carried out by the patient alone. He uses a solution containing diluted potassium hydroxide and/or vitamin A acid. This preparation must be dabbed on the warts twice a day, after which they usually disappear over time.
Risk of infection
Dell’s warts belong to the group of so-called virus warts. For this reason, dell’s warts are considered extremely contagious. These skin changes are particularly infectious in direct contact or during sexual intercourse.
However, transmission of the responsible viruses is also possible by smear infection. The infectious molluscicles can therefore be transmitted particularly easily if several people use the same towels and/or clothing. Dell’s warts are considered particularly infectious in children even when using the same toys.