Understanding Warts: Types and Treatment

Warts are small, grainy growths that typically appear on the hands or feet. They’re caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can enter the body through open wounds or weak immune systems.

Causes of Warts

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing warts:

– Using public showers or toilets
– Working with raw meat
– Having open wounds, eczema, or a weak immune system

Types of Warts

There are several types of warts, each caused by a specific type of HPV:

– Common Wart: A rough-surfaced wart that can occur on any part of the body.
– Flat Wart: A smooth, flattened wart that typically appears on the face, neck, hands, wrists, and knees.
– Digitate Wart: A thread-like wart that occurs on the face, near the eyelids and lips.
– Genital Wart: A wart that grows on the genitalia.
– Plantar Wart: A hard wart with black spots in the center, typically found on the soles of the feet.
– Periungual Wart: A wart that occurs around the nails, often in clusters.
– Mosaic Wart: A cluster of warts that typically appear on the hands or soles of the feet.

Treatment of Warts

While warts can go away on their own, treatment can help speed up the process. Some common treatment methods include:

– Salicylic Acid: A medicine that removes layers of the wart over time.
– Freezing or Cyrotherapy: A procedure that uses liquid nitrogen to kill the wart’s tissues.
– Trichloroacetic Acid: An acid that can be used to treat warts, but may cause burning and stinging.
– Minor Surgery: A procedure that involves cutting away the wart’s tissues, but may leave a scar.
– Laser Treatment: A procedure that uses laser to cauterize the wart’s tissues and cause it to fall off.

Remember to consult a doctor before trying any treatment method.