Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can appear anywhere on the body. Although typically harmless, warts can shoot up your insecurity. Luckily, those plagued with warts can quickly lose them with several proven methods. From home remedies to over-the-counter treatments, plenty of options can help you reclaim your comfort and confidence.
This article will explore the types of warts, what causes them, and what you can do to remove yours for good. Continue reading if you’re looking for reliable and effective ways to eliminate your warts.
Who’s Susceptible To Warts?
Around 10 percent of the population suffers from warts. Anyone under the three categories has a higher chance of developing warts.
- Someone with an open wound
- Children from 11 to 17 years old
- Someone with poor hygiene
- People with a compromised immune system
Regardless of gender, those identifying with any category are always at risk of catching warts.
Understanding Warts And Their Characteristics
Warts come in various forms and shapes. And each type of wart is distinct. Here are the kinds of warts and their characteristics.
1. Common Warts
These warts are skin growths that can emerge on various body parts but often appear on hands and fingers. Their sizes can differ, ranging from less than a millimeter to an inch. Common warts are distracting, so it would be best to have them removed.
2. Periungual Warts
Periungual warts are contagious and can spread through direct contact or sharing personal items like nail clippers or files. These can emerge as small, rough nodules or elevated bumps that inflame the surrounding flesh, leading to pain and irritation. Periungual warts are relatively more challenging to treat and affect nail growth.
3. Plantar Warts
These warts emerge either flat or slightly raised on the soles of your feet. Plantar warts can balloon to a size of a small stone, causing discomfort or pain due to their location on foot. You can get these by walking barefoot in moist, public areas such as swimming pools or showers.
4. Genital Warts
The genital and anal regions are the favorite areas of genital warts. Sexual contacts are usually the cause of these growths. Genital warts can appear small or large, raised or flat, singular or in clusters. Without treatment, genital warts can lead to itching, bleeding, and even discharge.
5. Flat Warts
Flat warts usually emerge on the face, neck, arms, and legs. These warts are small with smooth and flat surfaces. While causing no pain, flat warts are surely unsightly. Flat warts can go away without treatment, but getting one is better.
6. Water Warts
You can thank the molluscum contagiosum virus for giving you water warts. Scratching these bumps may cause them to spread more. You can develop water warts by touching contaminated objects and sharing items like towels. Water warts spread more when scratched.
7. Filiform Warts
Filiform warts have a more slender and elongated shape. They usually develop on the face, neck, eyelids, and lips. Filiform warts also look just like skin tags, which is one of the reasons why people leave them untreated. Because filiform warts are highly contagious, avoiding people with them would be best.
Not all types of warts are contagious, but you can get them through close contact with infected skin. Indirect transmission can happen from touching contaminated objects or surfaces, such as pool surroundings. Wet or damaged skin is more susceptible to infection. Once infected, it may take several weeks or months to see symptoms.
How To Lose Warts Quickly
Warts are usually benign and can resolve on their own without intervention. The time it takes for a wart to go away can differ for each individual. It may take the virus up to two years to leave the body entirely and for the wart to vanish. The following are the best interventions if your warts are causing pain, discomfort, or embarrassment in a noticeable area.
1. Cyrotherapy
Cryotherapy is when doctors take out warts by freezing them. The procedure happens when warts freeze after the doctor applies liquid nitrogen using a probe, cotton swab, or spraying directly on the wart. Aside from the genital area, cryotherapy is an effective method for removing warts. Cryotherapy can be uncomfortable but typically doesn’t require a local numbing anesthetic.
2. Over-the-counter kits
Wart Off has proven that its over-the-counter treatments can quickly eliminate different types of warts.
Salicylic acid is a popular non-prescription medication used to treat warts. The skin absorbs the acid gradually. It works by peeling off the skin cells containing the wart virus. This method is adequate but not for treating warts on sensitive areas like the face, neck, and genitals.
Salicylic acid works well with other treatments to accelerate the destruction of the wart by thinning it. Wart-eliminating products may also come in cryotherapy spray. OTC warts medications are great since they save you from spending more money at the dermatologist.
3. Immunotherapy
If your warts don’t go away with traditional treatments, it could mean that you need to undergo immunotherapy. This treatment stimulates the immune system to fight the virus causing the wart. Diphencyprone (DCP) is the main chemical in immunotherapy. The drug triggers a mild allergic reaction, ultimately killing the wart.
4. Laser treatment
Laser surgery is a procedure that utilizes a concentrated light beam to eliminate wart tissue. Bigger or more warts may require anesthesia and longer recovery time. You’ll experience discomfort post-treatment for a few days.
The only downside of laser surgeries is that they leave scars and blisters and are more painful.
Resorting to doing either of the four methods will guarantee the death of whatever warts you have. It all comes down to what you prefer or what is within your budget.
Keep Warts Off
You don’t want warts to be a problem again. These are the best measures you can take to prevent warts from making a comeback.
- Always wash your hands
- Clean and cover any open wound
- Drop the bad habit of biting nails
- Don’t share personal items
- Strengthen immune system
Address Wart Problems Right Away
There are many ways to remove warts, and some of the items to do so are in your kitchen. However, wart-removal home remedies aren’t as fast as the four methods mentioned. When you have an embarrassing condition that ruins your look, you must solve that problem immediately.