Warts: Everything You Need To Know About Them

Warts are basically small, benign skin tumors that form on the human skin when it’s exposed to HPV or the human papillomavirus. They’re extremely common and affect people of all ages, genders, and races and can develop on any part of the body although your feet are most commonly affected. There are three main types of warts including common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts. While they don’t normally pose any health problems or cause pain, sometimes they can be painful especially when you step on them or rub against something that causes friction against your skin.

What are warts?
Warts are skin growths that typically occur on the hands and feet, but can also grow in other areas of the body. They are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted from person to person. Warts are extremely contagious and can spread easily through direct contact with an infected area of skin or object, such as a towel or shoe. In many cases, warts will disappear on their own, but this process may take months or years.

What causes warts?
The most common cause of warts is infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV).
It’s possible to get warts from touching someone who has them or from sharing towels and other things that come into contact with the warts.
Warts are contagious, but they’re not considered an STD (sexually transmitted disease) because they can be spread through skin-to-skin contact.

Are warts contagious?
It is important to note that warts are not contagious, but there are some cases where they can be spread from person to person. For example, if you have a wart on your finger and you touch someone else’s wart without washing your hands, then you could cause them to get a wart too.

How are warts treated?
There are a number of treatments for warts, including over-the-counter topical treatments, such as salicylic acid and lactic acid. Some people find that applying vinegar or baking soda to a wart can also help dry it out and make it fall off. If these treatments don’t work, your doctor may recommend stronger medications like Aldara or Imiquimod. In extreme cases, surgery might be the only option.

Can warts go away on their own?
No, warts are caused by a virus and cannot be cured by the body’s immune system on its own. In fact, there is no known cure for warts in adults. The only way to get rid of them is through treatment, which comes in three forms: over-the-counter medication such as salicylic acid or liquid nitrogen; prescription oral medications such as Aldara or Imiquimod; and surgical treatments like cryotherapy (freezing) or electrocautery.

When should I see a doctor?
If your wart doesn’t seem to be going away, or if it is painful or bleeding, you should see a doctor. If a child has warts on their hands and feet, they may need to see a pediatrician for treatment because the warts could spread.

Are there any home remedies for warts?
There are a few different ways to remove warts. Some involve the use of over-the-counter products, while others require you to see a doctor. Those home remedies that do work often involve the use of adhesive tape and salicylic acid. If you want to try one at home, many people find that placing tape on top of a wart and then putting a bandaid over it will remove it in a few days.