SKIN CONDITION: ABOUT WARTS!

A wart is a small benign growth on the skin = caused by Human Pappilloma Virus (HPV) on the top portion of the skin. While some HPV types can cause genital warts and cancer around certain areas, these are the less common types of warts. The virus usually invades the top portion of the skin by something as small as a scratch. Most of the time, common warts are found on the feet and hands of a person and they appear similar to a cauliflower or blister. Warts are not to be confused with moles, which are dark and can become large in size. Warts are usually the same color as an individual's skin and nearly always small. However, depending on what part of the body the wart is on, it can sometimes change in appearance. Not all warts are the same. There are at least 100 different types of warts. The different type of warts include the following:

Many people will probably get at least one wart within their lifetime. An individual can come in contact with a wart by shaking hands, touching a door knob or even keyboards. Warts are contracted through direct contact with other people, not by frogs. However, if a person has a wart, and you share a towel with them, the virus can be spread this way as well. Even bad habits such as biting finger nails can create openings that invite warts. Although doctors are not sure why, some people are much more prone to getting warts than others. This includes people with a weakened immune system and often times children more than adults because their immune system is not completely developed. It is not uncommon to see people within the same family continuously get warts. Also, if an individual is prone to warts as a child, this increases their chances of getting warts as an adult.

The main focus is to try to prevent warts before they occur, especially if you are prone to them. This can be done by washing your hands frequently, using clean towels (especially during workouts), wearing rubber flip flops in public showers, and trying to keep your body from scratches as much as possible. When using a razor, make sure the blade is sharp enough so that it does not tear your skin and if you are prone to biting your fingernails, quit the habit. It is vital for a person to get rid of a wart as soon as they spot one, because warts can spread. In order to get rid of warts, most doctors recommend using an at home remedy or an over the counter product at the drug store. When purchasing an at home remedy, select a product that contains salicylic acid or propane freezing solution. Be patient, it can take warts weeks to completely heal. If this does not work after a few weeks, visit your local dermatologist, where he or she will probably freeze or burn off the wart. For additional information on warts, please review the following links below.

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