What Causes Warts And Ways To Get Rid Of Them
“Warts are usually skin lesions or types of small blisters and have the same colour as a person’s skin”
What Is A Wart?
Warts are usually a small growth of skin that appears on the hands or feet or elsewhere on the body. It is caused due to HPV infection which is known as human papillomavirus infection. HPV virus is a group of more than 150 viruses and HPV is actually a sexually transmitted disease or infection.
Many are confused between warts, moles and skin tags, though all three are different in nature and appear due to different reasons. Warts are usually skin lesions or types of small blisters and have the same colour as a person’s skin.
How It Is Transmitted?
Apart from HPV, warts are also spread through skin contact by shaking hands, turning door knobs or typing on a keyboard used by many. Sharing common shoes or towels also causes warts. Also, the virus is quickly spread in areas that have warm and humid air like spas, saunas, swimming pools, gyms or clubs.
Who Are At Risk?
A person with very sensitive, damaged or wet skin is more prone to catch the infection. Apart from this, those who are sexually active, have a weak immune system, under prolonged stress, have hormonal disorders and exposed to external effects such as radiation, chemical emissions of industrial cities, oily or junk food are at risk to get warts once in a lifetime.
Precautions
- The first and foremost way to prevent skin warts is to avoid coming into contact with the virus
- Make sure you wash your hands properly each time you touch anything
- Do not share your shoes or towels with anybody, also do not use anybody else’s towels or shoes
- Keep your skin healthy and well moisturized in all seasons, be it winter or summer; do not keep your skin dry for long
- Do not bite your fingernails
- While shaving make sure you use a sharp razor that won’t tear or cut your skin
Treatment
Some warts need not be medically treated as they may go away on their own. But if your wart bleeds or is painful, you should consult a dermatologist. The options of removing warts are:
- Chemical Treatment – Warts are removed with acids, alkalis or medications containing salicylic acid which works by removing layers of the wart a little bit at a time.
- Laser Removal – This is a new and effective method used in present times which is a less painful method that leaves no scars.