If there is one skin condition that seems to be frequently misunderstood, it’s a wart. Most people have a vague understanding about what it is exactly, whether it’s contagious or not, how people get infected and how it should be treated.
What are warts?
Warts are small tumors, often benign, that materialize on the skin. They usually appear as brownish or pinkish growths and can vary in size. Some warts, for example, can appear as tiny, indistinct bumps on the skin while others are bigger and easily noticed. If you look closely, most warts often resemble cauliflowers, although they can vary in shape and form.
Warts are caused by a viral infection. The virus in question belongs to the HPV or Human Papilloma Virus family. If this virus enters your system, it causes skin cells to grow rapidly, which results to extra bumps on the skin.
Where do warts appear?
Warts can appear on any location on the surface of the skin. They are sometimes named depending on the location they appear in. Some of the most common types of warts include:
Flat warts. These are commonly found on the skin surface of young adults and children, usually on the faces. In adults, they frequently appear in females, particularly in the leg area.
Filiform warts. These warts appear on the face, often on the eyelids and lips. They are long and thin.
Plantar warts. These warts appear on the soles of the feet and appear as hard lumps. They are sometimes covered by calluses and often cause pain during walking. If this happens, removal becomes a necessity.
Genital warts. These warts appear in the genital area and can either be smooth or appear like a cauliflower. They can vary in color, ranging from black to grey to pink and sometimes, white.
Genital warts are usually caused by STDs or sexually transmitted diseases. This is because people often get them due to unprotected sexual contact. These warts are best treated through a doctor, which means you should never attempt to use any medication on them that you normally use for other types of warts.
Common warts. These warts are so-named because they are easily seen, appearing on fingers and hands.
Who gets warts?
Warts, in spite of their negative connotation, are actually quite common. There are over a hundred kinds of warts to be found in humans and at least 30 percent of these appear in the genital area.
Although almost anyone can develop warts, they are more frequent in young children, probably because they have not developed the necessary immunity to the virus that causes the condition.
Do warts disappear on their own?
Common warts, such as those that appear on the hands and face, may sometimes disappear spontaneously even without treatment or medication. However, there are others that may remain stubborn, even after the application of certain remedies. Most medications used with warts are topical ointments and creams. In most cases, common warts can be treated with over-the-counter drugs.
For stubborn warts, genital warts and warts that need to be removed, it’s best to seek the advice of a medical professional. Although certain products exist for do-it-yourself treatment, wart removal is still an embarrassing topic. Many people dread the idea of purchasing a wart removal product in product. Wart removal often creates the powerful desire for confidentiality and privacy.