INTRODUCTION: Warts are common, and are created by a viral infection, specifically by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and are contagious when in contact with the skin of other people. They grow very slowly and may take weeks or longer, in some cases, to develop and can be difficult to get rid of because the thick layers of skin makes it hard for drugs to reach the virus that causes them.
They come in various sizes, colors, and shapes and occur in humans of all ages, but most frequently in children and young adults. They can also bleed a little, but if bleeding is significant or not readily stopped by light pressure, see a physician. Warts are usually harmless growths that often leave on their own within two years.
HPV: As stated above viruses that cause these skin growths are called HPV (human papilloma virus). More than 100 types of HPV are known to exist. Even though treatments can remove the growths, they do not get rid of the virus, so they can recur after treatment. Genital warts are the most readily recognized sign of an human papilloma virus infection, However only a small percentage of people infected will develop these genital skin growths.
Kids can pick up the virus from touching something someone infected has used, like towels and surfaces. Once cells have been invaded by the virus, a latency (quiet) period of months to years may occur. The latency period simply means the virus is in an incubation period so if you do develop a wart, you may never know where you came into contact with the virus.
They can also be seen in babies who have been delivered vaginally to mothers with HPV in their genital tracts; therefore, alternative means of delivering should be considered.
TREATMENTS: Include the application of salicylic acid plasters, applying other chemicals, or one of the surgical treatments including laser surgery, electrosurgery, or cutting. A review of 52 clinical trials of various cutaneous applications concluded that topical treatments containing salicylic acid were the most effective, with an average cure rate of 75% observed with salicylic acid compared with 48% for placebo in 6 placebo-controlled trials including a total of 376 persons. This method generally takes three to six daily applications to be effective.
Like prescription cures, over-the-counter treatments often require numerous applications and are only necessary if the warts are problematic. Also, these are capable of destroying healthy skin as well as warts, so caution must be exercised by those attempting them without medical direction.
As there have been no controlled studies for the majority of household remedies, it is impossible to be sure if warts that disappear after such applications do so because the treatment was effective, or because the growths often disappear due to the person’s own immune system regardless of treatment.
Dermatologists are trained to employ a variety of treatments, depending on the age of the person and the type of wart. However, repeat applications at 1 to 3 week intervals are often necessary. Since these skin growths are usually harmless, there may be times when these are inappropriate. Medical applications can always be used if needed.
CONCLUSION: Warts are non-cancerous skin growths produced by a viral infection in the top layer of the skin. They are normally skin-colored and feel rough to the touch, but they can be dark, flat and smooth and are passed from person to person, sometimes indirectly. In adults they frequently do not disappear as easily or as quickly as they do in children and since they don’t normally create any problems, it’s not always necessary to have them removed.
