What is a viral skin lesion that can recur after removal?

• A. Acne
• B. Psoriasis
• C. Impetigo
• D. Wart

Answer: (D)

Warts are caused by human papillomavirus infecting keratinocytes in the epidermis, leading to rough, raised, flesh-colored lesions. The virus can persist in surrounding skin cells even after the visible wart is removed, so it can reactivate or spread to nearby areas, causing the lesion to recur. Treatment may remove the wart itself but not all infected cells, leaving a reservoir of HPV that can lead to new warts over time.

Acne is a nonviral inflammatory condition of the hair follicle and sebaceous glands; impetigo is a bacterial skin infection with crusted lesions; psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease with well-demarcated plaques. These conditions do not involve a persistent viral skin lesion that reliably recurs after removal.