- Wart is also the name of a Nintendo character, see Wart (Nintendo character).
A wart is a generally small, rough, cauliflower-like growth, typically on hands and feet. Warts are common and contagious, and are caused by a viral infection with one of the Papilloma virus strains. They typically disappear after a few months but can last for years and can recur. A few Papilloma viruses are known to cause cancer.
Possible treatments for warts include:
- Freezing, after which the wart and surrounding dead skin falls off by itself
- Freezing and surgically removing the infected spot
- Treatment with chemical compounds, containing salicylic acid, blistering agents, or immune system modifiers
- Laser treatment
None of these treatments are very effective. The wart often returns after the skin has healed from the treatment.
Over-the-counter products containing the active ingredient salicylic acid are readily available at any drug store or supermarket. There are typically two types of products: adhesive pads treated with salicylic acid or a bottle of concentrated salicylic acid. In order to remove the wart, one must follow a strict regimen of cleaning the area, applying the salicylic acid, and clearing the dead skin. It may take up to 12 weeks to remove a stubborn wart.
The following household remedy is recommended for three consecutive days: Put the wart cells in hot water with washing liquid. It is difficult to prove whether the warts disappear because of the household remedy or by an immune reaction.
A household remedy whose efficacy has been ratified by at least one study is placing a piece of duct tape (medical tape works too) over the affected area for a week at a time, and rubbing off the dead wart cells with a pumice stone or emery board between tapings. This treatment is believed to work as a result of an heightened immune response at the site of the wart.
Particularly stubborn warts may need to be cut off completely, but this method should be used as a last resort, as it is painful and can lead to infection or scarring.
See also Genital wart, Plantar wart.
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