Warts

Warts are small lumps on the skin that grows usually on the feet, hands, or genitals and caused by virus. These lumps are small irregularly shaped solid like masses or pieces that are usually harmless and painless but in some cases may represent tumor.

Human papilloma virus is often found linked with genital warts. These are DNA containing viruses and belong to the group of papovirus.

If something such as part of body is covered with warts or some likely projections than it is called as verrucose or tuberous.

Symptoms of Warts:

Rough growth and change in appearance to light or dark (skin) are the most common symptoms of warts.

Types of Warts:

Common Warts:

Warts that usually appear on the hands. But they may grow anywhere in the body.

Flat Warts:

Warts appearing on the face and forehead. They are usually found in children.

Genital Wart:

Genital wart is caused by virus which is transmitted sexually and occurs in anal or genital area. These are also referred to as Condyloma.

Plantar Wart:

Wart that usually grows on (the sole of) the foot is known as plantar wart or verruca.

Subungual and Periungual Warts:

Warts usually appearing under or surrounding the fingernails and toenails.

Treatment strategies:

Some warts do not require treatment and may remove, although it may take years in some cases.

Electrocautery is one of the processes for the removal of warts and polyps (small harmless growth on the skin). In this process, unwanted tissues are destroyed with the help of electrically heated needle. Other techniques include cryotherapy i.e. removal by freezing and laser treatment.

Podophyllin is a brownish or greenish resin (bitter in taste) obtained from the roots of the May apple and is helpful in the removal of warts. Salicylic acid can also be used to treat warts.

Prevention is better than cure:

Warts can spread so wash the hands after touching any of the warts. Moreover, avoid direct skin contact at the place of wart/s with someone else.