Pointers on treating and getting rid of warts

While most warts are not considered a health risk, they are contagious so you should try to get rid of yours quickly. Here are a few ways to help.
What causes warts?
Warts are a common skin growth caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). When the virus enters the body through breaks in the skin, it infects the cells below the surface, causing a wart to grow. Warts occur most often in children and young adults. They easily spread to other parts of the body or other people through physical contact or by contact with a surface that a person with warts has touched, like a shower floor.

There are different kinds of warts, including plantar warts (usually found on feet) and common warts (found on hands and other parts of the body). Warts occur in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures. Plantar warts are the most difficult to get rid of, and may be painful.

Most warts are harmless and are usually not painful, although they can be embarrassing or inconvenient. They often go away on their own without treatment, although this process may take months or even years.

You may not want to wait for a wart to go away on its own. You should treat warts that are painful, embarrassing or spreading.. There are several options available for wart removal.

Non-prescription medications: A salicylic acid home treatment is an effective treatment for getting rid of many types of warts, although it may take up to two to three months.

Prescription medicines: Doctors may prescribe retinoid cream, bichloroacetic acid, cantharidin or immunotherapy to treat warts.

Cryotherapy: Warts can be treated by freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen. This can be done either with a home treatment kit or in a doctor’s office. Multiple treatments may be required.

Tape occlusion: Some studies have shown that warts can be rid by covering them with duct tape for a period of time, usually one to two months.

Surgery: Warts can be removed via laser surgery, electrosurgery and curettage. These methods are effective but can be more painful and may leave scars.

• If you’re not sure if a skin growth is a wart
• Warts are growing or spreading rapidly despite treatment
• Home treatment is not successful after two to three months
• There are warts on the face, genitals or rectum
• Any of the following occur in the area of the wart: discharge of pus or red streaks, increased swelling, pain, redness, tenderness or heat. These can be an indication of a bacterial infection.

Although warts are not usually a serious problem, they can become painful and certainly may take a long time to go away on their own. Don’t hesitate to try home treatments such as salicylic acid or a wart freezing kit and seek advice from your doctor if you need help getting rid of warts.