Warts

By: Lauren Valentine

A wart is generally a small, rough tumor,

typically on hands and feet, that can resemble

a cauliflower or a solid blister.

Warts are common, and are caused by a viral

infection, specifically by the human

papillomavirus (HPV) and are contagious

when in contact with the skin of another. It is

also possible to get warts from using towels or

other objects. They typically disappear after a

few months but can last for years and can reoccur.

Symptoms

• Small, hard, flat or raised skin lesion or lump • Abnormally dark or light skin surrounding the

lesion • Numerous small, smooth, flat (pinhead

sized) lesions on forehead, cheeks, arms, or legs

• Rough, round, or oval lesions on soles of feet -- flat to slightly raised -- painful to pressure

• Rough growths around or under fingernails or toenails

Treatment• Keratolysis: removal of dead surface skin cells usually

using salicylic acid, blistering agents, immune system modifiers, or formaldehyde.

• Cryosurgery: freezing the wart (generally with liquid nitrogen), after which the wart and surrounding dead skin falls off by itself.

• Surgical curettage of the wart. • Laser treatment. • Imiquimod: topical cream that helps the body's immune

system fight the wart virus by encouraging interferon production.

• Candida injections at the site of the wart, which also stimulate the body's immune system.

• Cantharidin: a chemical found naturally in many members of the beetle family Meloidae which causes dermal blistering.

Over the counter treatmentThere are several over-the-counter options. The mostcommon ones involve salicylic acid. There are typically twotypes of products: adhesive pads treated with salicylic acid ora bottle of concentrated salicylic acid solution. Removing awart with salicylic acid requires a strict regimen of cleaningthe area, applying the acid, and removing the dead skin with apumice stone or emery board. It may take up to 12 weeks toremove a wart.Another over-the-counter product is silver nitrate in the formof a caustic pencil, which is also available at drug stores. Thismethod generally takes three to six daily treatments to beeffective. The instructions must be followed to minimizestaining of skin and clothing.

Household remedies

One household remedy is to place duct tape

over the infected area for a week at a time this

method is known to be effective.