Warts are harmless skin growths caused by a virus called human Papilloma virus. They can grow on any part of the body, like on the face, along the forearms or on the finger. These have a rough surface on which tiny, dark dots can often be seen. On pressure areas like the palms or the soles, they appear flat. Warts on the sole (called plantar warts) grow inward from the pressure of standing and walking and are often painful.
Warts are common and can be a nuisance. They may bleed if injured. Commonly these never turn cancerous. They are contagious, and may spread from one part of the body to another or to other children. We don’t know why some people get warts while others don’t. There is no way to prevent it.
They often disappear by themselves, especially in young children. This spontaneous disappearance is less common in older children and adults.
Warts on the genitals are usually sexually acquired. On the beard region, these have a tendency for spreading.
Viral Warts Treatment
There is no perfect treatment, since we are unable to kill the virus. Viral Warts Treatment consists of destroying the outer layer of skin where it grows. This can be done by surgery, laser ablation, electrocautery (destroying with a weak current), by freezing (with liquid nitrogen) or with chemicals like salicylic acid. The treatment to be used depends on the location, size and the judgement of the dermatologist. Sometimes new warts will form while existing ones are being destroyed. All we can do is treat the new ones when they become large enough to be seen.
No matter what treatment is used, warts occasionally fail to disappear. They may return weeks or even months after an apparent cure. Don’t be concerned if it recurs; just consult your dermatologist for further therapy. The treatment may be repeated, or a different method may be used to get rid of the warts.
