How to identify a wart? Are they always round and hard? Are there different types of warts? How can you treat them and eliminate them forever?
Warts frequently appear on the hands and feet. There is also a genital form that, in women, is more dangerous because it is associated with uterine cancer.
Warts are a very frequent problem. Normally, they just be something that bothers only aesthetically. However, it depends on where they appear, they can cause discomfort. They are small bumps of the skin that raise it, in general without being painful.
Although many people do not know, the main cause of warts is a virus. Specifically, the human papillomavirus, which in turn has more than 100 different subtypes. This causes warts to appear in different forms and in different places.
However, the most prevalent presentation is in the hands and feet. On some occasions, it is necessary to treat them to prevent the person from experiencing any discomfort. Therefore, in this article we explain how to identify a wart, what the most frequent types of warts are and how they are treated.
How to identify a wart?
Warts are small bumps that appear on the skin. Normally, they are the same color as this one, although they may be more whitish or pink. Some even have small black spots on their surface that are clotted blood vessels.
As we have already mentioned, the cause of warts is the human papillomavirus. It is a virus with many subtypes, so it is very common to have contact with it. However, warts are not so common.
That is, not all people who have contact with the virus develop them. This is because, any individual with good health, can fight the virus correctly and does not have to have symptoms.
In this way, warts are more frequent in children or in people with a weakened immune system, since they cannot fight the infection. Warts may appear up to six months after initial contact with the virus.
Most types of the virus are spread through the skin or objects, such as hygiene towels. However, we cannot forget that certain types are transmitted sexually, such as human papillomavirus 16 or 18, which are the types most related to cervical cancer.
In addition, warts have ease to spread. For example, it is very common to see a child with warts on the fingers that eats the nails. In this way, it can cause a greater number of warts to appear throughout the hand or on the face.
What types of warts are there?
The truth is that warts can be of many different types, depending on their shape and location. First of all, it is necessary to highlight vulgar warts, since they are the most frequent. They are rounded, rough, and tend to appear on the hands and feet. Other types are:
- Flat warts: most common in young people and children. They are small and usually form small groups or clusters.
- Filiform: the name is because they are more elongated and softer, like a tiny finger. They are typical in the neck or eyelids.
- Plantar: they refer to those that appear on the soles of the feet. They become very annoying, since walking continuously produces pressure on them.
- Genital warts: are those that appear in both male and female genitals, even in the area of the English or anus. These tend to be transmitted through sexual contact. They are also called condylomas.
Of all these types, genital warts are the most important, since the human papillomavirus has carcinogenic potential. In addition, because their contagion is very frequent, it is advisable to monitor these injuries. In fact, there are currently vaccines for certain types of papillomavirus.
How to treat them?
Most warts are only treated for aesthetic reasons or for discomfort, as they can cause some type of friction or pressure pain. With the treatment, what is intended is not only to destroy the wart, but it is also sought that the immune system fight against the virus.
There are currently different ways to achieve this. Cryotherapy is a technique by which cold is applied to the wart, getting it to come off. The laser is also used or minor surgery is performed to remove them.
There are even certain acidic medications that, when applied to warts, allow them to be removed. However, the ideal is to consult with the doctor and help him decide which the best option according to the type of wart is.
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