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Disease & Conditions

Warts

Clearing Up The Wart Myths

Warts:

Warts in reality are nothing more than benign tumors of the skin that come about from a viral infection. The virus which is responsible is the human papillomavirus (HPV), a DNA virus that is double stranded, much like the DNA itself. The virus locates itself in the bottom layer of the skin and clones into fairly normal-looking skin. There are multiple types of HPV that each cause different types of warts. Some HPV subtypes also have the potential to cause cervical cancer, and also other more vague types of wart-related cancers, of which none are that common.

Contrary to popular belief, warts have no roots growing inside your hand. They only create themselves in the epidermis, which is the top layer of skin. When they grow in a downward direction, they dislodge the layer of skin that is below the epidermis, the dermis. The warts will never reach the dermis and never will grow into the dermis either. The underside of a wart is actually made up of smooth strands.

Warts have the ability to occur in people of all ages, but mostly in children and young adults. They are spread through direct contact, simply through the touching of another wart. They will normally cure themselves, but no two will cure themselves in the same timeframe. Most will take only weeks or months, but it is not uncommon to find those that take years. The immune system of the person determines how susceptible they are to the transmission of the warts. Those with diseases such as AIDS that directly reduce your immune system will see the warts last longer periods of time than those who have healthy immune systems.

Most warts can be cured through the use of over the counter medications. If you are someone that is resistant to these medications, there are other options for you. Salicylic acid is one common treatment, and is also very effective, but it necessitates consistent treatments each day. Salicylic acid can be used in many forms that include a thick oil base, or incorporated into a plaster material form. Cryotherapy is also a productive treatment. This simply is where the warts will be frozen on the hand using a form of liquid nitrogen. Once frozen, the wart can then be easily removed from the skin with no effects. If the warts are on your feet, you should not use the cryotherapy method because there is the chance that a blister could develop and become painful.

You can find more detailed warts information at the Warts resource site.