What are Warts?
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Warts are lumps on the skin produced by a virus. The virus invades the skin, usually through small injury, and causes the skin to multiply rapidly. Wart viruses are spread by touch or by contact with the shed skin of a wart. |
COMMON TYPES OF WARTS
The common wart is a small, hard, flesh-coloured lump with a ‘cauliflower’ surface. It can grow anywhere on the body, but is most common on the hands. It is usually painless.
The plantar wart (papilloma) is a wart that grows on the sole of the foot and tends to become pushed in as you walk. It is usually painful, rather like walking with a stone in your shoe.
Anal warts and genital warts are usually spread sexually and tend to multiply very rapidly. They are caused by a different strain of wart virus.
HOW COMMON IS THE PROBLEM OF WARTS?
Warts are common in children and teenagers but less common in adults. About 1 schoolchild in 20 has 1 or more warts.
DO WARTS DISAPPEAR IF LEFT ALONE?
Yes- many warts will disappear, without any treatment, if left alone. However, plantar warts and anal/genital warts take longer, and it is advisable to contact your doctor about these warts.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR WARTS?
The treatment of warts is slow to provide a cure, but a patient approach is usually rewarding. Do not treat warts on your face and genitals with wart paint, because the skin on these areas is very sensitive. Anal and genital warts require special professional care.
COMMON WARTS
1. Soak the wart in warm, soapy water
2. Rub back the surface of the top of the wart with a pumice stone
3. Apply the prescribed paint or ointment, but only on the wart. It may be wise to protect the surrounding healthy skin with Vaseline petroleum jelly
NOTE:
1. Carry out this treatment every second day
2. Carefully remove the loose dead skin between applications
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PLANTAR WARTS The wart is first shaved back by your doctor with a sterile blade (this should not be done at home). Then use the same steps as for common warts. The use of the pumice stone is very important. Your doctor should check progress in 6 weeks. It is usually a very slow process. |
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OTHER METHODS
Some warts remain stubborn and other methods can be used by your doctor. These includes freezing with liquid nitrogen, electro-cautery and the application of very strong pastes. Most warts eventually respond to treatment, leaving the skin free of scar.
Water Warts - Molluscum Contagiosum
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR WARTS?
Professional help is usually needed to treat these warts. Many methods can be used, such as freezing with liquid nitrogen, application of chemicals or surgical removal. Special cushions or pads should be worn inside the shoes to relieve pressure.Laser treatment -
Pulsed laser treatment burns (cauterizes) tiny blood vessels. The infected tissue eventually dies, and the wart falls off.
Freezing (cryotherapy) -
Freezing therapy done at a doctor's clinic involves applying liquid nitrogen to your wart. Freezing works by causing a blister to form under and around your wart. Then, the dead tissue sloughs off within a week or so. This method may also stimulate your immune system to fight viral warts. You will likely need repeat treatments. Side effects of cryotherapy include pain, blistering and discolored skin in the treated area. Because this technique can be painful, it is usually not used to treat the warts of young children.
- Stronger peeling medicine (salicylic acid) - Prescription-strength wart medications with salicylic acid work by
removing layers of a wart a little bit at a time. Studies show that
salicylic acid is more effective when combined with freezing.
- Other acids - If salicylic acid or freezing
isn't working, your doctor may try trichloroacetic acid. With this
method, the doctor first shaves the surface of the wart and then applies
the acid with a wooden toothpick. It requires repeat treatments every
week or so. Side effects are burning and stinging.
- Minor surgery - Your doctor can cut away the bothersome tissue. It may leave a scar in the treated area.
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Please consult your skin doctor for Wart / Water Warts / Skin Tag / Mole removal. |
How do we get Genital Warts?
A Comprehensive Allergy Test can be done at a medical clinic.
Comprehensive Allergies Test for up to 101 allergens:
* Food Allergy eg Seafood, Nuts, Eggs, Fish, Meat, Fruits, Seeds or Vegetables
* Dust/Mold Allergy
* Insect Sting Allergy
* Pet/Cockroach Allergy
* Eye or Skin Allergy
* Sinus Infection/Allergic Rhinitis
* Drug/Latex Allergy
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The information provided in this website is for knowledge purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice.
Should you encounter any medical problem that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor or health care provider for assistance and medical advice.