Warts: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Warts are small, rough, non-cancerous skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can appear anywhere on the body but are most common on the hands, feet, and face. Warts are contagious and spread through skin contact or contaminated surfaces.
Types of Warts
🔹 Common Warts (Verruca Vulgaris) – Rough, raised bumps on fingers, hands, and knees.
🔹 Plantar Warts – Hard, painful warts on the soles of the feet.
🔹 Flat Warts – Smooth, flat-topped warts often found on the face, arms, or legs.
🔹 Filiform Warts – Long, thread-like warts on the face, neck, or eyelids.
🔹 Genital Warts – Sexually transmitted warts on or around the genital area.
🔹 Periungual Warts – Warts around the nails, which can cause nail deformity.
How Warts Spread
Direct skin contact – Touching an infected wart.
Contaminated objects – Towels, razors, shoes, or gym equipment.
Scratching or biting warts – Can spread them to other body parts.
Warm, moist environments – Public showers, pools, and locker rooms.
Symptoms of Warts
Small, grainy, or rough skin bumps.
Flesh-colored, white, pink, or brown growths.
Black dots (clotted blood vessels) inside the wart.
Painful warts on weight-bearing areas like feet.
Treatment for Warts
1. Home Remedies & Over-the-Counter Treatments
Salicylic Acid – Peels off the wart layer by layer.
Cryotherapy (Freezing) – OTC wart freeze sprays kill wart tissue.
Natural Remedies – Applying banana peel, apple cider vinegar, or garlic.
Duct Tape Method – Covering the wart may suffocate the virus over time.
2. Medical Treatments (If Warts Are Persistent)
Liquid Nitrogen (Cryotherapy) – Freezing by a doctor.
Prescription creams (Imiquimod, Cantharidin) – Stimulates the immune system to attack warts.
Laser Therapy – Burns off wart tissue using light energy.
Surgical Removal – For stubborn or painful warts.
Prevention of Warts
Avoid touching warts – Don’t pick or scratch them.
Keep hands and feet clean and dry.
Wear footwear in public showers & pools.
Do not share towels, razors, or personal items.
Boost immunity – Eat healthy, exercise, and manage stress.