Warts

These are small, rough cauliflower like growth which generally occur on the hands and feet. These are caused by a viral infection called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It is also believed that they are caused due to stress. Warts generally disappear after a few months but there is a chance that they can last for years and also recur. It has been found out that certain types of warts can be contagious from region to region but are not transferable.

Warts can either grow on the skin or inside of the mouth or genitals or rectal area.   It has been found that some type of HPV virus cause warts on the skin whereas the other type of virus results in warts on the genitals and rectal area.

Cause

Warts are caused due to an infection of the skin which is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are a number of HPV viruses which can infect the skin. In case the wart gets damaged, the virus which gets released might cause small warts to develop in the surrounding area. The virus acts by stimulating thickening of the skin.

Symptoms

The symptoms of this disease include small, raised bumps of skin and these bumps begin as small lumps and slowly grow larger. The surface of the warts is rough and has clearly defined borders with color similar to the skin. In some cases the color turns darker. Wart do not pain or itch but warts occurring on the soles of the feet cause pain when one puts weight on the affected foot. This virus is widespread and it can get caught by contact.

Treatment

The treatment comprises of

Imiquimod

It is a topical cream that helps the body’s immune system in fighting wart virus by encouraging production of interferon.

Cyrosurgery

This treatment involves the freezing of wart which results in the wart and the dead skin around it falling off.

Candida injections

These injections can help in stimulating the body’s immune system.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment can also be undertaken for curing warts

It has been found out that none of the treatments mentioned above have been effective on single uses and they resurface after the skin has healed as a result of the treatment. Repeated treatment has been found out to be effective in getting rid of warts. They tend to disappear after a few months or years. Treatment is necessary only if the lesions become painful or are causing cosmetic problems.