Warts: What are they? How to treat them?

Warts are generally harmless and commonly go away on their own, but they're unattractive, and some, such as those found on the soles of the feet, can make walking and exercising difficult. Wart removal can be difficult, but the most effective procedures are the least invasive.

Warts develop in the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The surface of a normal wart is elevated and rough. (Some may be smooth and flat, such as those on the face.) A wart's center may be flecked with dark spots, which are veins that supply it with blood.

How do warts form?

Warts form when skin cells develop faster than usual due to infection with the human papillomavirus. Approximately 10 of the 150 HPV strains cause cutaneous (skin) warts, including common, plantar, and flat warts. Other strains are responsible for anal and genital warts. Some sexually transmitted HPV strains have been associated with cervical and other genital malignancies, although skin wart strains have rarely been connected to cancer.

We all come into contact with HPV on a regular basis — for example, when we shake hands or touch a doorknob — but only some of us develop warts, which is difficult to explain. Children and others with immune system deficiencies are more vulnerable. People in specific occupations, such as meat, fish, and poultry handlers, are also affected for unknown reasons. The most plausible explanation, though, is that some people are simply more susceptible to warts than others.

Treating warts

According to studies, around half of warts disappear on their own within a year and two-thirds within two years, thus "watchful waiting" is clearly a possibility for new warts. However, other specialists advocate for prompt treatment in order to limit the amount of virus shed into adjacent tissue and possibly lessen the likelihood of recurrence. If you don't want to wait, you have numerous therapy options:

The acid salicylic

Aspirin's major constituent and it should always be your first pick. Salicylic acid is the only topical treatment (treatment applied directly to the skin) that clearly outperforms a placebo, according to one study. (The study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology in August 2011, pooled and reanalyzed data from several earlier investigations.) Salicylic acid is inexpensive, has few adverse effects, and is available in a variety of over-the-counter preparations such as liquids, gels, and patches. The concentrations range from 17% to 40%. (stronger concentrations should be used only for warts on thicker skin). Soak a wart for 10 to 15 minutes to treat it (you can do this in the shower or bath).

Skincell Advanced

This is the most effective product for treating moles and skin tags. It offers a rich formula containing antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients. These components can be used to treat moles, skin tags, and even acne without causing harm to the skin. Mark removal without pain, difficulty, surgery, or effort is possible. You should always consult a doctor before using any skincare products. Click here to read more.

Freezing

A doctor swabs or sprays liquid nitrogen onto the wart and a small surrounding area in this procedure, also known as cryotherapy. The intense cold (which can reach -321 F) burns the skin, causing discomfort, redness, and, in most cases, a blister. This method normally requires three or four treatments, one every two to three weeks; any more than that is unlikely to assist. Apply salicylic acid after the skin has healed to stimulate more skin to peel off. Individual trials have found that salicylic acid and cryotherapy are similarly effective, with cure rates ranging from 50% to 70%, however, there is some indication that cryotherapy is especially useful for hand warts.

Cutting and zapping

Electrodesiccation (or cautery) and curettage are the technical terms for this procedure. Using local anesthesia, the doctor dries the wart with an electric needle and scrapes it away with a curette, which is a scoop-like tool. This frequently results in scarring (so does removing the wart with a scalpel, another option). It is typically used to treat warts that have not responded to conventional treatments and should be avoided on the soles of the feet.

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