Common warts are small benign skin growths. These growths are caused by a virus known as human papillomavirus or HPV. There are over 100 strains of HPV and different strains will produce warts on different areas of the body. The good news is common warts rarely turn into something more sinister. However, they can become quite large and unattractive.
1. Symptoms of common warts
2. Causes of common warts
3. Treatment for common warts
Most of the time, warts known as common warts will appear on the hands. These types of warts can crop up as a single wart, or they may grow in clusters. Common warts are usually small and fleshy looking bumps. They are flesh-colored or tan, and the surface of the common wart will be rough to touch. Many individuals refer to the surface of a common wart as resembling a cauliflower.
Some common warts will have tiny black spots in them. These warts are often called seed warts. However, this term is misleading because there is no actual seed in the middle of the wart. These tiny black spots are actually tiny blood vessels that are feeding the wart.
Common warts do not require treatment because they will eventually go away on their own. However, some individuals choose to have them removed because they are bothersome, or they are highly noticeable, espcially if they are hand warts, finger warts or warts on legs. It is very important the wart sufferer does not pick at the warts or clip them off. Doing this could spread warts to other parts of the body.
As stated above, all types of warts are caused by HPV. Most of these warts, including the common wart, are harmless. However, there are strains of HPV that produce cancerous changes to the female cervix. Any woman with genital warts must have a yearly pap test to check for cervical cancer.
HPV is spread through direct contact with an infected individual. It can also live on inanimate objects for some time. An individual can spread warts from one part of the body to another part of the body quite easily.
However, not everyone who comes into contact with HPV will get warts. Everyone’s immune system is different and can react differently to an exposure to HPV. The individuals most at risk for getting warts are children and those with compromised immune systems.
Treatment for Common Warts.
It may be wise to get an accurate diagnosis from a doctor before starting treatment. Once a diagnosis is made, there are several options for treatment for common warts.
Natural ingredient over the counter remedies such as Amoils (Click to visit Amoils) are usually very effective at treating these types of warts.
Another method that is now recognized by doctors as an effective wart treatment is duct tape. This method consists of filing away the top layer of the wart with a pumice stone or nail file. Then apply a small piece of duct tape over the wart and leave it in place. The tape can be changed after a few days, or if it starts to come off. It is hypothesized that filing the wart and applying duct tape will elicit an immune response from the body to help eliminate the wart. Patience is required with this method as it can take several weeks to months to completely work.
If over the counter treatments for common warts are not successful, professional treatment may be needed. A doctor can use a medication to freeze the warts away. This is called cryotherapy. It will cause the wart to blister and eventually fall off. Cryotherapy can be painful and a local anesthetic may be necessary prior to treatment.
Cantharidin is a medicine that is derived from the blister beetle. This medicine is applied directly to the warts and then covered with a bandage. The initial application of the medicine is painless. However, as the warts start to blister, it can become uncomfortable.
A Cure for Common Warts
Currently, there is no cure for warts of any kind. This is because there is no medication or treatment that will eradicate the HPV virus. The only defense a body has against warts, and the virus is the immune system. A strong, healthy immune system will eliminate HPV and all kinds of warts.
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