Warts
What is it?
Warts are skin growths that can appear on just about
any part of the body.
Who gets it?
People of all ages can get warts.
What causes it?
Warts are caused by a family of viruses called the
human papillomaviruses (HPV). Warts are generally not
contagious to other people, but can spread on the body.
However, genital warts are highly contagious, and are
transferred from one person to another during sexual
intercourse.
What are the symptoms?
Warts are raised, round, and have a rough surface with
brown dots. They are often found on the hands. Most warts
are painless, but can become irritated when bumped or
repeatedly rubbed by clothing. Other warts cause pain
because they irritate nerves. Warts that appear on the
bottom of the feet are called plantar warts. Genital warts
in women usually appear on the cervix.
How is it diagnosed?
Warts are diagnosed by their appearance during a
physical examination.
What is the treatment?
Warts are treated with methods that destroy the wart.
The type of treatment depends upon the wart’s location,
type, and severity. A doctor should always treat warts on
the face and genitals. Warts can be removed in a doctor’s
office by cryotherapy, which involves freezing the wart
with liquid nitrogen; burning the wart; surgical excision;
laser surgery; or by applying a strong chemical such as
cantharidin. Genital warts may also be treated with a
medicine called podophyllin, which is applied directly to
the wart, or with interferon injections, which help fight
HPV. Small warts on the hands, knees, or feet can be
removed by applying a preparation containing salicylic
acid, usually available over the counter. The acid is
applied each day at home, preferably to damp skin, until
the wart peels away and is gone. Occasionally, a wart may
go away on its own. Warts may also come back after
treatment.
Self-care tips
If you have warts, check with your doctor before
treating the growth at home. Your doctor will tell you the
best method of treatment, and ensure that what appears to
be a wart is not another condition, such as skin cancer.
The best way to prevent genital warts is to know the
health history of your sexual partners and to use a condom
during intercourse.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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