Wart Removal: Understanding the Causes and Best Treatment Options

Wart Removal: Understanding the Causes and Best Treatment Options

Warts are common skin growths that can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. They are usually harmless and painless, but they can be unsightly, contagious, and sometimes uncomfortable. If you have warts, you may wonder what causes them and how to get rid of them. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about warts, including their types, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

What are warts and what causes them?

Warts are small, rough, skin-colored bumps that form on the skin. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of more than 100 viruses that can infect the skin and mucous membranes. HPV enters the skin through tiny cuts or scratches and causes the cells to grow faster than normal, resulting in warts.

Warts are very contagious and can spread from person to person or from one part of the body to another through direct contact or indirect contact with objects that have touched a wart, such as towels, razors, or nail clippers. Warts can also spread through sexual contact, especially in the case of genital warts.

Warts are not dangerous or cancerous, but some types of HPV can cause genital warts that increase the risk of cervical, anal, or penile cancer. Therefore, it is important to get regular screenings and vaccinations for HPV.

Types of warts and their characteristics

There are different types of warts that can appear on different parts of the body and have different characteristics. The most common types of warts are:

Common warts

Common warts usually grow on the backs of the hands, the fingers, the skin around the nails, and the feet. They are small, from the size of a pinhead to a pea, and have a rough, hard, grainy surface. They may have black dots that look like seeds, which are actually tiny blood clots. Common warts are often grayer than the surrounding skin and may appear in clusters. They are usually not painful, but they can be annoying and interfere with the normal function of the skin.

Plantar warts

Plantar warts grow on the soles of the feet, especially on the heels and balls of the feet. Unlike other warts, plantar warts grow into the skin, not out of it, because of the pressure from walking and standing. They look like small holes in the skin that are surrounded by hardened, callus-like skin. They may have black dots in the center. Plantar warts can be very painful and make walking difficult. They can also spread to other areas of the foot or form large clusters called mosaic warts.

Flat warts

Flat warts, also known as juvenile warts, usually grow on the face, the forehead, the arms, and the legs. They are smaller and smoother than other warts and have a flat top. They can be flesh-colored, pink, brownish, or slightly yellow. They are not easily noticeable and often grow in large numbers, from 20 to 200. Flat warts are not typically painful, but they can be cosmetically bothersome and spread to other areas of the body through shaving or scratching.

Genital warts

Genital warts are warts that form on the genitals, the anus, or the mouth. They are caused by certain types of HPV that are transmitted through sexual contact. Genital warts can vary in size, shape, color, and texture. They can be flat, raised, cauliflower-like, or stem-like. They can be flesh-colored, pink, red, or brown. They can be single or multiple, and can cluster together to form large masses. Genital warts can cause itching, burning, bleeding, or discomfort, and can affect the sexual and reproductive health of the person. Genital warts can also increase the risk of developing certain cancers, such as cervical, anal, or penile cancer.

Periungual and subungual warts

Periungual and subungual warts are warts that form under or around the fingernails and toenails. They are caused by the same types of HPV that cause common warts. They can look like rough, irregular bumps that disrupt the normal shape of the nail. They can also cause pain, bleeding, or infection. Periungual and subungual warts can be difficult to treat and may damage the nail or the nail bed.

How are warts diagnosed?

Warts are usually diagnosed by their appearance and location. Your doctor can examine your warts and ask you about your medical history, your symptoms, and your exposure to HPV. Sometimes, your doctor may scrape off the top layer of the wart to check for signs of dark, pinpoint dots, which are clotted blood vessels that are common with warts. Your doctor may also take a small sample of the wart (shave biopsy) and send it to a laboratory for analysis to rule out other types of skin growths or infections.

How to get rid of warts at home and when to see a doctor

Warts often go away on their own after your immune system fights off the virus, but this can take months or years. Some people choose to treat their warts at home or seek medical help because they want to get rid of them faster, prevent them from spreading, or improve their appearance. There are different options for wart removal, depending on the type, size, number, and location of the warts, as well as your personal preference and budget.

Over-the-counter treatments for warts

There are some over-the-counter (OTC) products that you can buy at your local pharmacy or online to treat your warts at home. These products usually contain salicylic acid or freezing agents that work by destroying the wart tissue and stimulating the immune system to fight the virus. However, these products may not be effective for all types of warts, especially genital warts, and may cause side effectssuch as skin irritation, burning, blistering, or scarring. Therefore, you should always follow the instructions on the label and use these products with caution. Some of the OTC treatments for warts are:

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a type of acid that peels off the layers of the wart over time. It comes in different forms, such as liquids, gels, pads, or patches, that you can apply directly to the wart. You should soak the wart in warm water for about 10 minutes before applying salicylic acid and remove any dead skin with a pumice stone or a nail file. You should repeat this process once or twice a day for several weeks or months until the wart is gone. Salicylic acid is effective for common warts and plantar warts, but it may not work for flat warts or genital warts.

Freezing kits

Freezing kits, also known as cryotherapy kits, use a spray or a foam that contains a cold liquid, such as dimethyl ether or propane, to freeze the wart and kill the virus. You should hold the applicator on the wart for a few seconds and then wait for a blister to form. The blister and the wart will fall off in about a week. You may need to repeat this process several times to get rid of the wart completely. Freezing kits are suitable for common warts and plantar warts, but they may not be effective for flat warts or genital warts.

Other products

There are some other products that claim to treat warts, such as patches, tapes, creams, or oils, that contain ingredients such as silver nitrate, zinc oxide, or castor oil. However, there is not enough evidence to support their effectiveness or safety, and they may cause skin reactions or infections. Therefore, you should consult your doctor before using these products and stop using them if you experience any adverse effects.

Home remedies for warts

Some people prefer to use natural or home remedies to treat their warts, as they may be cheaper, safer, or more convenient than OTC products. However, there is not much scientific research to prove that these remedies work or how they work, and they may take longer to show results or not work at all. Some of the home remedies for warts are:

Duct tape

Duct tape is a type of adhesive tape that you can stick on the wart and leave it for six days. Then, you should remove the tape, soak the wart in warm water, and scrape off the dead skin with a pumice stone or a nail file. You should repeat this process until the wart is gone, which may take up to two months. Duct tape may work by irritating the skin and stimulating the immune system to fight the virus. Duct tape may be effective for common warts and plantar warts, but it may not work for flat warts or genital warts.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar that contains acetic acid, which may have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat warts. You should soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and place it on the wart. Then, you should cover it with a bandage or tape and leave it overnight. You should do this every night until the wart turns black and falls off, which may take a few weeks. Apple cider vinegar may work by burning the wart tissue and triggering the immune system to fight the virus. Apple cider vinegar may be effective for common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts, but it may not work for genital warts.

Garlic

Garlic is a type of herb that contains allicin, which may have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat warts. You should crush a clove of garlic and apply it to the wart. Then, you should cover it with a bandage or tape and leave it for a few hours or overnight. You should do this every day until the wart disappears, which may take a few weeks. Garlic may work by destroying the wart tissue and stimulating the immune system to fight the virus. Garlic may be effective for common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts, but it may not work for genital warts.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is a type of essential oil that comes from the leaves of the tea tree plant. It may have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat warts. You should dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, and apply it to the wart. Then, you should cover it with a bandage or tape and leave it for a few hours or overnight. You should do this twice a day until the wart is gone, which may take a few weeks. Tea tree oil may work by penetrating the wart tissue and killing the virus. Tea tree oil may be effective for common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts, but it may not work for genital warts.

Banana peel

Banana peel is the skin of the banana fruit that contains enzymes and antioxidants that may help treat warts. You should cut a piece of banana peel and place it on the wart with the inner side facing the skin. Then, you should secure it with a bandage or tape and leave it overnight. You should do this every night until the wart falls off, which may take a few weeks. Banana peel may work by softening the wart tissue and boosting the immune system to fight the virus. Banana peel may be effective for common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts, but it may not work for genital warts.

When to seek medical help for warts

You should see your doctor if you have warts that:

• are painful, bleeding, or infected
• interfere with your daily activities or self-esteem
• are on your face, genitals, or anus
• are large, numerous, or spreading
• do not respond to home treatments or OTC products
• change in color, shape, or size
• you are not sure if they are warts or something else
• you have a weakened immune system or a history of skin cancer

Your doctor can diagnose your warts and recommend the best treatment option for you, depending on your condition and preference.

Professional wart removal methods

There are some professional methods that your doctor can use to remove your warts, such as:

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a procedure that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart and kill the virus. Your doctor will apply liquid nitrogen to the wart with a cotton swab or a spray device for a few seconds. This will cause a blister to form around the wart, which will fall off in about a week. You may need to repeat this procedure several times to get rid of the wart completely. Cryotherapy is effective for most types of warts, except for flat warts and genital warts. Cryotherapy may cause side effects such as pain, swelling, blistering, scarring, or infection.

Trichloroacetic acid

Trichloroacetic acid is a type of acid that burns off the layers of the wart over time. Your doctor will apply trichloroacetic acid to the wart with a cotton swab or a brush once a week for several weeks until the wart is gone. Trichloroacetic acid is effective for most types of warts, especially flat warts and genital warts. Trichloroacetic acid may cause side effects such as pain, burning, stinging, or scarring.

Minor surgery

Minor surgery is a procedure that involves cutting off the wart with a scalpel or a curette (a sharp, spoon-shaped instrument). Your doctor will numb the area with a local anesthetic before performing the surgery. Minor surgery is effective for most types of warts, except for flat warts and genital warts. Minor surgery may cause side effects such as pain, bleeding, infection, or scarring.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment is a procedure that uses a high-intensity beam of light to destroy the wart tissue and the blood vessels that feed it. Your doctor will numb the area with a local anesthetic before performing the laser treatment. Laser treatment is effective for most types of warts, especially plantar warts and genital warts. Laser treatment may cause side effects such as pain, blistering, scarring, or discoloration.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a procedure that uses substances that stimulate the immune system to fight the virus that causes warts. Your doctor may inject the wart with an antigen, such as candida or mumps, or apply a cream, such as imiquimod or diphencyprone, to the wart. Immunotherapy is effective for most types of warts, especially flat warts and genital warts. Immunotherapy may cause side effects such as pain, swelling, itching, or allergic reactions.

How to prevent warts from spreading

Warts are very contagious and can spread from person to person or from one part of the body to another. To prevent warts from spreading, you should:

Avoid touching or picking at warts

Touching or picking at warts can transfer the virus to your fingers or other areas of your skin. You should avoid touching or picking at your warts or other people’s warts. You should also wash your hands thoroughly after touching a wart or a contaminated object.

Keep warts covered with a bandage or tape

Covering warts with a bandage or tape can reduce the risk of spreading the virus to other people or other parts of your body. You should change the bandage or tape regularly and dispose of it carefully. You should also keep thewart area clean and dry.

Wash your hands and sanitize your personal items

Washing your hands with soap and water can prevent the virus from spreading to other people or other parts of your body. You should also sanitize your personal items that may have come in contact with a wart, such as towels, razors, nail clippers, or shoes, with hot water, bleach, or alcohol.

Avoid sharing towels, razors, or nail clippers

Sharing towels, razors, or nail clippers with someone who has warts can transfer the virus to your skin. You should use your own towels, razors, or nail clippers and avoid sharing them with anyone else. You should also avoid using public towels, razors, or nail clippers that may be contaminated with the virus.

Wear footwear in public places

Wearing footwear, such as sandals, flip-flops, or socks, in public places, such as locker rooms, showers, pools, or gyms, can protect your feet from getting infected with the virus that causes plantar warts. You should also avoid walking barefoot on wet or dirty surfaces that may harbor the virus.

Practice safe sex

Practicing safe sex, such as using condoms, dental dams, or female condoms, can reduce the risk of getting infected with the virus that causes genital warts. You should also get tested for HPV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) regularly and get vaccinated for HPV if you are eligible. You should also inform your partner if you have genital warts and avoid sexual contact until they are treated.

Conclusion

Warts are common skin growths that are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can appear on different parts of the body and have different characteristics. Warts are usually harmless and painless, but they can be unsightly, contagious, and sometimes uncomfortable. Warts can be treated with over-the-counter products, home remedies, or professional methods, depending on the type, size, number, and location of the warts, as well as your personal preference and budget. Warts can also be prevented by avoiding contact with warts, keeping warts covered, washing your hands and sanitizing your personal items, avoiding sharing towels, razors, or nail clippers, wearing footwear in public places, and practicing safe sex.

FAQs

Q: Are warts dangerous or cancerous?

A: Most warts are harmless and benign, but some types of HPV can cause genital warts that increase the risk of cervical, anal, or penile cancer. Therefore, it is important to get regular screenings and vaccinations for HPV.

Q: How long do warts last?

A: Warts can last from a few months to several years, depending on the type of wart and the immune system of the person. Some warts may go away on their own, while others may need treatment to be removed.

Q: How can I boost my immune system to fight warts?

A: You can improve your immune system by eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, managing stress, and avoiding smoking and alcohol. Some supplements, such as zinc, vitamin C, and echinacea, may also help your immune system fight warts.

Q: Can I use essential oils for wart removal?

A: Some essential oils, such as tea tree oil, oregano oil, and lemon oil, may have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat warts. However, essential oils are not regulated by the FDA and may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Therefore, you should always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, and do a patch test before applying them to your warts.

Q: Can I get warts from animals?

A: No, you cannot get warts from animals. Warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which only infects humans. Animals can have skin growths that look like warts, but they are caused by different viruses or bacteria.