Learning a Little About Warts And Wart Removal Methods

Learning a Little About Warts And Wart Removal Methods

One of the most unsightly conditions is the presence of genital warts . These small, usually harmless and painless growths on the skin are caused by an easily contractible virus. This annoying virus is the human papillomavirus, commonly referred to as HPV, takes up its residence in the bottom layer of your skin and its different sub-types cause different kinds of warts.

People of all ages are susceptible to getting warts but is most commonly found in children and young adults. Warts, such as genital warts are spread through direct contact, simply by touching the wart. Warts can be quite contagious. They are embarrassing and disfiguring, and sometimes itch.

There are a number of different types of warts. Common warts are what you see typically forming on hand, while flat warts are found on the face and forehead. Genital warts are common and inject the genital area. Plantar warts affect the soles of feet, and subungual warts and periungual warts appear under and around the finger nails or toe nails.

While most warts cause no discomfort, there are a few which are difficult to treat, some disappear without treatment and others do require treatment whatsoever.

In some instances, wart removal can be done with over-the-counter medication. The medication is applied directly on the warts daily for several weeks. Plantar warts, found on the soles of the feet, require special cushions available at most drugstores. These medicated pads relieve any pressure and pain from the warts. For the removal of persistent warts, prescription medication is normally suggested and sometimes surgical removal or removal by freezing, burning or laser treatment is required.

Freezing, which is also known as Cryotherapy, is one method which uses liquid nitrogen. It is applied either as a spray or on a cotton swab to the wart which then freezes and kills the effected cells. Although the lesion heals without significant scarring, a blister does form on the treated area. Another option is Immunotherapy. This causes your immune system to destroy the virus that causes the wart. However, this method is sometimes quite expensive and can be dangerous, requiring special handling. This method is often used as a last resort when all other options fail.

Most wart treatment methods are successful and the warts disappear for good. The body's immune system also gets rid of any tiny bits of wart that might be left behind. In some cases, should the warts come back, it is best to seek medical advice on other ways of treating them.