Understanding Warts - Know the Basics About Warts

Warts affect millions of people, a common skin problem caused by HPV or Human Papilloma Virus. Although it is a common skin disease, it should not be taken lightly because it can be a real annoyance due to the discomfort and its unattractive appearance. They are non-cancerous skin growths and they can appear anywhere on the skin but commonly appears on the hands, feet, neck and face. There are warts that also appear in the genital area. They are small skin growths in the beginning and will eventually grow bigger and in most cases they eventually appear in clusters. Whether you want to prevent having warts or trying to get rid of them; understanding warts, their behavior and occurrence are important.

A basic understanding of warts is to know who can get them and how they are transmitted. Warts are very common and anyone can get them; children, adults and elderly people can get them. Although they can spread from one person to another through direct contact with a person who has them, there are people who are not highly susceptible to the virus. There are people who do not develop warts even if they come in contact with people who have them and there are people who are easily infected once exposed to the virus. Why? Maybe it all depends on a person's health condition. People whose immune system is very good and on the best of health are not easily affected by viruses. People with weak immune system are more likely to be infected by warts if exposed to the virus. People vulnerable to warts virus can get common warts (the ones found on the hands, feet and face) from using public showers, using personal items of people with warts like slippers, towels, combs, nail cutters and of course from skin to skin contact. Genital warts are transmitted through sexual activities so it is important to practice safe sex to avoid getting them.

In understanding warts, you have to also know how to treat them. Although common warts which usually appear on the hands, feet and face sometimes go away without treatment there are still various medical and home treatments to get rid of them. Home remedies include the use of duct tape to remove warts, the use of salicylic acid, use of pumice stone to scrub away warts and some kitchen stuffs like apple cider vinegar, banana peel and garlic are also being used to remedy warts. Common medical treatments are medication or injection of drugs into the wart, cryotherapy or freezing warts with liquid nitrogen, cauterization or using heat to burn warts and laser surgery.

On the other hand, genital warts are something that you would not wish to have. They are skin growths or bumps formed in clusters around the penis or vagina, cervix and anus. They are serious sexually transmitted disease. The treatments for this kind of warts are not the same as those common warts found on the hands and the feet. A proper medical attention is needed to treat this condition and prevent the virus from spreading to your partner and cause other health issues. Embarrassment should not be the reason for not seeking medical treatment. This kind of disease can be treated discretely and quietly and you will feel relieved once you get help and have this condition controlled.

Understanding warts, its nature, behavior and occurrence is very important especially if you are infected by them.