Warts - What Causes Them?

By Richard H Ealom


INTRODUCTION: Warts are common, and are caused by a viral infection, specifically by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and are contagious when in contact with the skin of another. They grow very slowly and may take weeks or longer, in some cases, to develop and can be hard to get rid of because the thick layers of skin makes it hard for medicine to reach the virus that causes them.

They come in various sizes, colors, and shapes and occur in humans of all ages, but most frequently in children and young adults. They can also bleed a little, but if bleeding is significant or not readily stopped by light pressure, see a physician. Warts are usually harmless growths that often leave on their own within two years.

HPV: As stated previously viruses that cause these skin growths are called human papilloma virus (HPV). More than 100 types of HPV are known to exist. Although treatments can remove the growths, they do not remove the virus, so they can recur after treatment. Genital warts are the most easily recognized sign of an HPV infection, However only a small percentage of people infected will develop these genital skin growths.

Kids can pick up the virus from touching something someone infected has used, like towels and surfaces. Once cells have been invaded by the virus, a latency (quiet) period of months to years may occur. The latency period simply means the virus is in an incubation period so if you do develop a wart, you may never know where you came into contact with the virus.

They can also be seen in infants who have been delivered vaginally to mothers with HPV in their genital tracts; therefore, alternative methods of delivery should be considered.

TREATMENTS: Include the application of salicylic acid plasters, applying other chemicals, or one of the surgical treatments including laser surgery, electrosurgery, or cutting. A review of 52 clinical trials of various cutaneous applications concluded that topical treatments containing salicylic acid were the most effective, with an average cure rate of 75% observed with salicylic acid compared with 48% for placebo in 6 placebo-controlled trials including a total of 376 persons. This method generally takes three to six daily applications to be effective.

Like prescription cures, over-the-counter treatments usually require multiple applications and are only necessary if the warts are problematic. Additionally, these are capable of destroying healthy skin as well as warts, so caution must be exercised by those attempting them without medical supervision.

As there have been no controlled studies for the majority of household remedies, it is impossible to be sure if warts that disappear after such applications do so because the treatment was effective, or because the growths often disappear due to the person's own immune system regardless of treatment.

Dermatologists are trained to employ a variety of treatments, depending on the age of the person and the type of wart. However, repeat applications at 1 to 3 week intervals are often necessary. Since these skin growths are usually harmless, there may be times when these are inappropriate. Medical applications can always be used if needed.

CONCLUSION: Warts are non-cancerous skin growths created by a viral infection in the upper layer of the skin. They are usually skin-colored and feel rough to the touch, but they can be dark, flat and smooth and are passed from person to person, sometimes indirectly. In grown-ups they often do not disappear as readily or as quickly as they do in children and since they don't generally cause any problems, it's not always necessary to removed them.

About the Author:
Richard H. Ealom is a writer who has authored numerous articles on Diseases,Careprints,Cures. Learn more about natural remedies for Moles, Warts & Skin Tags by visiting the Mole, Wart & Skin Tag Free In 3 Days! website. You can reprint this article as long as you leave this box intact.

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