What are warts? Know everything about Warts
Warts are the non cancerous fleshy growths or tiny grain-like bumps on the skin that more or less look similar to the rest skin and may result from an infection caused by a human papilloma virus(HPV). The warts are typically seen more on hands and legs but they can start forming anywhere on the body.
Common warts are caused by viruses from a group or family of human papilloma virus or HPV. These warts are usually rough to touch and may or may not be tender. Warts usually may take few weeks to month to appear following a viral infection. They are usually not a serious concern and may disappear on their own. Some warts may not disappear and many people may find it embarrassing or annoying and they often consult a dermatologist to get them removed.
Warts are contagious and they may be treated medically using various treatment methods.
There are different types of warts depending on the site affected.
- Plantar warts: The soles of the feet have warts and these may break open or get infected and fill with pus because of constant friction and rubbing down while walking or standing.
- Warts on hands and palms are the most common types of warts seen among children.
- Genital warts may appear on the male or female genitals, rectum, etc. and are usually the result of sexually transmitted diseases and may result from unprotected sex.
- Warts can also appear on the face and forehead.
- Periungual warts are the ones that appear near or around the fingernails and toenails. Such warts may be painful.
What are symptoms of warts and how do they look like?
Symptoms and features of warts are:
- Fleshy skin bumps anywhere on the body
- They may be black, brown or skin-colored
- Some warts are flat form that are not having bumps but a flat top surface that may be scraped or scratched which may cause pus formation or scabbing.
- Warts may appear on face, forehead, arms, fingers, nail beds, palms, feet, soles, in and around the genitals.
- They are usually non cancerous growths. Some genital warts may have a potential to cause cancer of the genitals.
- Warts may be painful sometimes. such warts need treatment.
What are the causes and risk factors of warts?
Warts are caused by the human papilla virus infection. There are certain risk factors that may cause or increase your chances of having warts.
- Direct contact with the warts of another person.
- Sharing the same towels and bedding.
- Use of same nail clippers and habit of nail biting.
- Touching warts and then touching other objects may spread the virus to the person who touches the objects then .
- Shaving using the same blades or razor.
- People who have diabetes.
- People who have sweaty feet more often.
- People who have low or weakened immune system.
- Children are more susceptible to get common warts.
- Elderly people who have decreased immunity levels
How are warts diagnosed?
Warts can be easily diagnosed by physical examination. To confirm whether it is a wart or no your dermatologist may take a tissue or skin scraping and send the sample to the laboratory for further microscopic examination.
When should you see your doctor/dermatologist for warts?
Warts are usually harmless and you need not to worry about them a lot. However certain conditions may necessitate seeing your doctor.
See your doctor in case:
- You have painful or infected warts with scabbing and scaling.
- You have genital warts that interferes with your physical function.
- You tried to treat using at-home remedies but did not succeed.
- You note a significant change in the look and size of the wart.
- You feel or think the growth of warts has increased over a period of time.
- You see your warts are recurring after treatments.
- You feel embarrassed or annoyed with your warts.
- You are disturbed emotionally and physical due to your warts.
What is the treatment of warts?
Warts generally are harmless and they do not cause much trouble or pain. Common warts may disappear or go away on their own without the need of any specific treatmetnt. Some warts may respond to the at-home treatment while some warts may need medical treatment.
How to treat warts at home: At-home treatment
- People having warts may use over-the-counter medications for warts that come in the form of patches, gels and duct tapes or liquids that contain active ingredient such as salicylic acid or dimethyl ether.
- You may need to soak the warts for 15 minutes or so before applying such medications.
- Such medications may or may not work.
- Use them as directed on the drug labels and see if it works for you.
- Most at home treatments may need a longer time to show any desired result.
- The medications kill the cells inside the bumps which eventually may let the bump fall off easily leaving the edges.
- See your doctor if the at-home treatments do not help or your warts recur after disppearing.
- Do not use such treatments if you have diabetes, low immunity, warts are on the sensitive parts such as mouth, nose, face or genitals. See your doctor for treating such warts.
Medical treatment for warts:
Warts can be successfully treated at a dermatologist's clinic. However it cannot be confirmed that they won't reappear. Recurrences are common in warts.
The medical approcaches used for the removal of warts are:
- Using cold or freezing procedure: Liquid nitrogen may be used to cut off the blood supply of the warts which eventually kills the wart and it starts to separate easily thereafter. It is also called cryosurgery. You may need repeat sessions for cryosurgery. It is a best option for children having warts as it is not at all painful.
- Laser therapy. In hard to treat cases, the laser rays may be used to remove the warts.
- Electrotherapy along with currettage; Electrocautery may be used to burn the warts and then it may be scraped for removing the cells inside the war.
- Excision; The complete wart may be surgically removed after giving a local anesthesia to the affected part.
Do Warts recur or reappear?
It is common for your warts to reappear. See your doctor if the warts reappear.
Can we prevent warts?
Prevention of warts
Warts cannot be prevented. However a person can reduce the chances of letting the virus in the body by following some precautions.
- Do not share your soap, towels and razors with any one.
- Use condoms while having intercourse. Protected sex helps in preventing any sexually transmitted diseases including genital warts.
- If you have a habit of nail biting, you need to quit it.
- If you have low immunity then eat balanced diet and stay away from infections.
- Get your vaccine for HPV. It prevents you from HPV infections.
- Get yourself and your partner screened for any STD if you notice symptoms.
It is equally important to avoid the spread of warts to others:
- Always wash your hands after you touch your own warts.
- Do not scrape or scratch your warts and then touch others.
- Use safe sex methods.
- Get yourself screened and your partner too for any STDs.
Warts are harmless tiny skin bumps caused by virus, human papilloma virus(HPV). They dont need treatment often and disappear on their own.
Please note: This blog post is for educational and informational purpose only. It is not a substitute to any medical advice or treatment. See your doctor in any case.
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