ABOUT THE DISEASE
Warts are small growths on the skin, that appear as small, grainy bumps, rough to touch, caused by human papilloma virus (HPV).
SYMPTOMS
Appears as small raised areas that may be flesh-colored, tan, pink, black or white. They may have smooth or flat surface and may be itchy and painful in some cases.
The commonly occurring warts are classified into these 5 broad categories:
- • Common warts - usually appear on the hands however can occur elsewhere as well, they are more common in kids.
- • Flat warts - usually appear on the face and forehead.
- • Genital warts (condyloma) - appear on the genitals, in the pubic area and between the thighs. They can also appear inside the vagina and anal canal.
- • Plantar warts - are found on the bottoms of the feet. They can be very painful.
- • Subungual and periungual warts - are found under or around the fingernails and toenails.
DIAGNOSIS
- Physical examination by a skin doctor (dermatologist).
- Skin biopsy, in some cases, to rule out skin cancer.
CAUSES
Warts are a type of infection caused by viruses in the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Warts can grow on all parts of body. Some people are more naturally resistant to the HPV viruses and don`t get warts as easily as other people.
It is a contagious disease and can spread by touch or even from using towels or other objects that were used by a person who has warts. Warts on the genitals are very contagious and can be passed to another person during oral, vaginal or anal sex.
TREATMENT METHODS
Sometimes the warts vanish on their own over a few months, however, most of the times they require treatment. Several OTC (over the counter) drugs are available in the market which must be used with caution especially for genital warts. Other options considered are:
• Stronger (prescription) medications, such as podophyllin or salicylic acid.
• A blistering solution.
• Freezing the wart (cryotherapy) to remove it.
• Laser treatment for difficult to remove warts.
• Immunotherapy, which involves giving a substance that causes an allergic reaction and helps the wart go away.
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