Medical Keywords - Everything you need to know about health.

5 Things You Must Know About Warts

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF WARTS

are generally small kind of cauliflower sized growths or blister that grow generally on hands, feet, face, or genital organs and cause embarrassment to the sufferer. They are caused by human papillomavirus 2 and 7 - a viral infection and are contagions and can enter the body through any cuts or broken skin or can be transmitted sexually. The symptoms of warts are generally silent and may take weeks or even months to appear. Small pink bumps appear to show up on the infected areas of the patient and are generally painless. These pimple like bumps are benign that is non-cancerous but they appear, disappear, occur, and recur and can last for years.

2. TYPES OF WARTS

There are different types of warts and they are identified as per the shape, size and area where they infect.

- Common wart: As the name suggests, it is very common type and is raised with a rough surface and is commonly found on hands and feet.

- Flat wart: this type occur in groups and is small, smooth, and flat and is commonly found on face, neck, wrists, knees and on hands.

- Digitate wart: this is a thread-like or finger-like wart commonly found near the eyelids or lips.

- Genital wart: this occurs on the genital organs and is the worst kind which brings a lot of embarrassment to the sufferer.

- Mosaic wart: Found in clusters are most commonly found on the palms and soles.

- Periungual wart: Cauliflower-like cluster of warts that develop around the finger nails or toe nails.

- Plantar wart: This type is hard and painful and has black specks in the center and is commonly found on the pressure points on the soles.

3. CAUSES AND SPREAD OF WARTS

are caused by virus human papilloma virus(HPV). Usually, warts are localized but they can spread to other parts of the body by close contact with towels or shoes. They can also spread if someone scratches or bites a wart or sucks infected fingers, biting finger nails, or via shaving face or legs. However, the risk of getting warts from the infected person is pretty less but genital warts are contagious and may pass it on to the other partner.

4. TREATMENT FOR WARTS

See your doctor if the symptoms of warts are severe and persistent as most of the OTC topical treatments are ineffective in such cases. In many cases, warts clear up with topical applications but the duration may vary from person to person. Some patients use duct tape to get rid off warts but this must not be used on face. Cryotherapy, surgical curettage, and laser surgery are other treatment for removal of warts. But, opt for these surgeries after understanding the risks and benefits of them.

5. REMOVE WARTS NATURALLY

Remove warts naturally with apple vinegar. This has proved to the most effective and least expensive procedure with no harmful side effects. All you need is apple vinegar, white cotton and band-aid. You need to dip the cotton in vinegar and just apply on the wart and then cover it up with band-aid and leave it for the whole night or for 24 hours. Repeat this procedure for a week. You will notice that the wart will go off within few days.