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Source of Warts
Although warts are one of the more common skin diseases, they can be a
cause of embarrassment for those who have contracted them.
Warts
are generally small, light, and almost skin-tone colored growths that resemble
tiny cauliflowers, or they may be flat and smooth, depending on where they
appear. They are caused by a kind of viral infection called human papillomavirus
(HPV). There are many
different
types of warts, and the most common ones are listed below.
Types of
Warts 1.
Common Warts
(Verruca vulgaris): These are usually small rough bumps that look like
little cauliflowers, and they appear on the fingers, hands, knees, and elbows.
They mostly emerge from broken skin. 2.
Flat Warts
(Verruca plana). Light brown or skin-colored warts with smooth surface
that can multiply in large numbers. They are usually found on the face, neck,
hands, knees, and legs. 3.
Plantar Warts (Verruca,
Verruca pedis). These are non-cancerous lumps that are sometimes
mistaken as calluses, and they are mostly found at the soles of the feet. They
can be painful and uncomfortable at times. 4.
Genital Warts
(Venereal wart, Condyloma acuminatum, Verruca acuminata).
These are highly contagious warts that occur in the genitalia. They can appear
as small and flat bumps or tiny cauliflower bumps. They vary in size, and
sometimes, they are only barely visible. Those who have genital warts have a
greater risk of contracting cancer.
Warts are a highly contagious skin
disease that affects people of all ages, but they are most common among
children. Broken skin,
tiny cuts and scratches, and hangnails make a person more susceptible to the
disease since viruses can easily penetrate the skin. Though touching or coming
into direct contact with someone else’s warts does not always lead to
contraction of the disease, contact with objects like towels and clothing that
are used by an infected person can result in transmission of wart viruses.
Picking at warts can also make the disease spread to other parts of the body.
Warts can grow and develop very slowly, and they may take weeks or longer to
emerge.
Generally, most warts do not cause major health problems. They
may stay for six months to 2 years, but most of them will disappear on their
own. However, because warts are considered unsightly, many people will want to
get rid of them as soon as possible. There are many
ways to treat warts, and these include using chemical agents like
salicylic acid
and blistering agents,
laser treatment,
freezing, and surgical removal. Those who have contracted genital warts should
get treatment from a doctor because some HPVs can cause abnormal cells to grow
on the cervix, which may lead to cervical cancer.
Awareness and
prevention are always better than cure. You can
prevent warts by making sure that things like towels, handkerchiefs, and
intimate clothing be kept for personal use only, and they should be washed
thoroughly after use. Also, cuts and scratches should be given immediate
treatment, and protective footwear should be worn when you are in public places.
If you have children, you should stop them from biting their nails. One of the
main factors that make a person susceptible to warts is a weak immune system.
Therefore, it is essential to have a healthy lifestyle.
More About Warts
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