WARTS

Warts are skin growths that are caused by a virus. They are harmless, yet annoying, and can grow on any part of your body. If they appear in your face and hands, they are raised up above the skin. However, if they occur on the soles of your feet, they are flatter due to the pressure placed on them by walking. These types of warts are called plantar warts, and can cause pain when you walk. If you look closely at any wart, you’ll see very small dark dots.

WHAT CAUSES WARTS?

Warts are caused by a virus and are contagious. They can spread from person to person due to physical contact, and cannot be prevented. Also, if warts are injured, they can bleed. Thankfully standard warts never become cancerous.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR WARTS?

If left alone, most warts will clear up on their own without treatment, but this can take several years. Most dermatologists recommend freezing the warts off or using chemical treatments to remove them. This may require multiple treatments before the warts vanish, and in some cases, new warts can grow before the old ones are gone. There are newer treatment options available that involve a skin care regimen consisting of topical immune stimulants combined with oral medications to take care of the source of the warts.