Warts

What You Should Know About Warts

Most types of warts will not kill you. Even so, it can be both physically and emotionally alarming to have these growths in parts of your body. To temper your concern learn as much as you can and to select the appropriate treatment option.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is Linked to Warts

Main Cause of Warts

All wart growths share a common viral cause. A person who gets infected by the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus may develop warts. The virus is usually transmitted through contact with infected skin or personal items that have just been in contact with wart growths. One however should have at least a tiny skin cut for the virus to enter and cause wart growths. Scratching or pricking these growths may result in the spread of the virus to other parts of the body. The growths can appear in many different parts of the body.

Types of Warts

Warts come in different shapes and sizes. They can also grow in specific locations. The appearance, nature and location partly determine what the wart growths are called. Here are the common types you should be aware of:

• Common wart growths are those that usually appear on fingers, elbows and knees. They are elevated, rough and hard. They do not have flat tops.

• Planter warts are those that grow on the soles of the feet. Although warts, by nature are usually painless, this particular type may cause some pain because of walking and footwear use. Planter types are often obtained from warm and moist surfaces that have the virus. Walking barefoot on any surface increases a person’s risk of developing this type.

• Juvenile wart growths have a reputation for being more frequent among kids and teens. They are also otherwise known as flat warts because they have flat surfaces. They are usually very small in size but they can cluster together which makes them more noticeable. These wart growths are often found on the face but they can also grow on the arms, hands and knees.

• Genital wart growths are found on the genitals and the anus. They are usually transmitted through sexual contact. People who engage in unprotected sex or those who have multiple partners are at a higher risk of developing this type of wart growth.

• Filiform warts are those that are typically found on the near the mouth or eyes.

Treatment of Warts

Most types of wart growths disappear on their own. They may however be around for weeks or months before you finally go wart free. If you want to remove these growths safely and properly, you should always ask for the help and opinion of a skin doctor. Medical experts may recommend the removal of wart growths if they interfere significantly with a person’s daily functions. The mildest form of treatment would involve the use of chemical applications such as tretinoin and salicylic acid. If a person’s warts are particularly severe, a doctor may recommend cauterization, cryosurgery or laser removal.

Genital wart growths are one type that should always be treated. One reason for that is because they are highly contagious. Some kinds of genital warts may also put a female at risk of cervical cancer.