Wart Removal

Warts are the small, rough rises or growths on the skin, usually on the hands and feet. The outbreaks are due to a viral infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). These small blister-like patches are highly contagious, spreading fast to nearby areas of the skin and to other people through direct skin contact.

Warts are persistent, meaning they may disappear after treatment but will reoccur, usually on the same spot, after some time. This is because wart treatments do not necessary attack the HPV virus, which has attached itself to the skin, but only removes its manifestations, which are the warts.

A number of treatments are available for wart removal. Cheap medications include home remedies like application of cider vinegar or tea extracts which are known to have disinfecting properties. Oils and natural extracts from plants, vegetables and fruits are also traditional home remedies. Self-treatment like burning, scraping and duct-taping are also done by some people.

There are also numerous over-the-counter remedies for wart removal like salicylic acid which produces foamy coating when applied directly to the wart, a proof of its disinfecting property. Other cures like liquid nitrogen used for freezing warts and topical applications like ointments and creams prescribed by dermatologists are readily available in drugstores. For severe and serious wart cases, professional medical treatment like injections, laser surgery or cryosurgery (freezing) is required.

The best way to attack warts is prevention through observance of hygienic practices like regular hand washing, not sharing personal belongings like comb, gloves, hankies, towels, dresses or cosmetics with others, and disinfecting shared paraphernalia like spoons, forks, glasses and cups.