WHAT IS A WART?

Warts are small, rough, hard, non-cancerous skin growth, usually having a color similar to the color of the rest of the skin and is caused when a type of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infects the top layer of the skin through damaged skin.

Warts are contagious and can spread through direct contact.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF WARTS?

Common Warts: also known as Verruca Vulgaris grow most often on the fingers, around the nails, and on the back of hands (especially where skin breaks are common) and are rough.

Foot/ Plantar Warts: grow most often on the soles of the foot, can grow in clusters, are often flat, or can grow inwards due to pressure while walking and can hurt also.

Flat Warts: can occur anywhere, are small and smooth, can grow in large numbers.

Filiform Warts: looks like long threads, often grow on the face (around mouth, eyes, and nose) and grow quickly.

Genital Warts: are sexually transmitted and are found in the genital area.

Periungual Warts: occur in clusters (cauliflower-like growth) around nails.

Mosaic Warts: tightly clustered, commonly on hands and soles.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR WARTS?

• Common in teens and children
• In subjects with a weak immune system
• In people who have a habit of nail-biting.
• Diabetes

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF WARTS?

Fleshy, painless growth on the skin.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF WARTS?

Warts are caused by invasion of the skin by Human Papillomavirus which causes rapid growth of cells on the outer layer of skin.

DIAGNOSIS OF WARTS

• Examination of the wart
• The biopsy is done to rule out other types of skin growths
• Commonly on scrapping warts appear dark with pinpoint dots.

TREATMENT OF WARTS

• Cryotherapy
• Creams are also prescribed which can remove the wart. Example- retinoid cream, cantharidin, imiquimod.
• Electrosurgery, curettage, laser surgery can also be done to remove the wart.
• Chemical peels are also used to remove the warts

ALTHOUGH THESE PROCEDURES ARE USED TO REMOVE THE WARTS BUT ARE PAINFUL AND NOT PERMANENT SOLUTIONS FOR THE WARTS.

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF WARTS

There are medicines like thuja, silicea, natrum mur, graphites, nitric acid, etc which can remove warts completely without recurrence. But medicines always depend on the presentation of the case.

DO’s AND DON’Ts

DO’s

• Don't pick or scratch warts.
• Don’t touch the warts of any other person.

DON’Ts

• Keep warts dry to prevent spread.
• Wear flip-flops or pool shoes in public showers and pool areas.