Warts - Causes, Symptoms, Information with Treatment

By Juliet Cohen

Warts are small harmless tumors of the skin caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus. The HPV virus causes a hard protein called keratin in the top layer of the skin (the epidermis) to grow too much, producing the rough, hard texture of a wart. Warts are usually harmless, but they can look unattractive. They often clear up by themselves, although treatment can help to get rid of them more quickly. Warts arent normally painful, although verrucas can sometimes hurt. Warts are very contagious. It is also possible to get warts 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 . It is important not to have unprotected sex if you or your partner has warts on the genital area. Warts can grow on the cervix (inside the vagina), and a woman may not know she has them. She may pass the infection to her sexual partner without knowing it. They typically disappear after a few months but can last for years and can reoccur. A few papilloma viruses are known to cause cervical cancer.

A wart is generally a small, rough tumor , typically on hands and feet, that can resemble a cauliflower or a solid blister. The technical name for a wart is verruca vulgaris. There are a wide variety of warts, which are named by their appearance or location. Warts can grow on all parts of your body. They can grow on your skin, on the inside of your mouth, on your genitals and on your rectal area. Contrary to popular belief, warts do not have "roots". They only grow in the top layer of skin, the epidermis. When they grow down, they displace the second layer of skin, the dermis. They do not grow into the dermis. The underside of a wart is actually smooth. There are several types of warts common warts (around nails on the fingers and toes), foot warts (also called plantar warts and located on the soles of the feet), flat warts (flatter and smoother than other warts, they grow in great numbers at any one time. Found on children's faces and the beards of men and legs of women-irritation from shaving could account for this). It is reasonable to have all warts treated since they can spread to other parts of the body and to other people.
Warts are treated either by using salicylic acid, cryotherapy (freezing), or electrodessication (burning).

Causes of Warts

Find common causes and risk factors of Warts :

• Warts are caused by direct contact with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Some types of HPV tend to cause warts on your hands, fingers or near your fingernails.
• By sharing towels, razors, or other personal items it can spread to others.
• Picking or scratching the wart may cause the virus to spread.
• HPV can enter the skin through cuts or scratches on the plantar area of the foot.

Signs and Symptoms of Warts

Sign and symptoms may include the following :

• Flesh-colored, white, pink or tan.
• Small, fleshy, grainy bumps.
• Rough to the touch.
• Treatment for Warts

Treatment may include:

• Laser treatments (e.g., CO2 laser cautery) can be used to treat warts.
• Duct tape occlusion therapy.
• Applied manually.

Cryotherapy involves freezing warts with a very cold solution, that destroys the virus.
Self-treatment for warts using an over-the-counter preparation is not recommended.
Juliet Cohen writes articles on diseases and conditions and skin disorders. She also writes articles on herbal home remedies