The appearance of warts almost always comes as a surprise. It’s like they weren’t there and then you wake up one morning with warts on your skin.
But where do warts come from? How can you prevent their growth and what wart removal treatments can you get if you get them? Read on as Advanced Laser Clinic shares the answers to these questions and more with you:
What Causes Skin Warts?
Skin warts are caused by the human papillomavirus - the same virus that can cause cervical and anal cancer (HPV). There are more than 100 subtypes of HPV that can infect the skin, including those that cause warts.
Warts are usually transmitted through skin contact, although they can also spread sexually. However, most warts are painless and harmless, although some can cause a burning feeling like acid.
How Do People Get Warts?
Warts can spread easily through direct skin contact. However, unlike the common belief, warts are NOT caused by sitting on a toilet seat.
Here are some of the ways people get warts and potentially spread them:
● Touching a surface infected by HPV (common with hand warts).
● Touching a person infected with HPV.
● Sharing personal items like towels, razors, and nail clippers.
● Walking barefooted in common wart-causing areas, like swimming pools or shower floors.
Warts are highly contagious and can spread very easily. Warts are common in children, particularly on their hands and feet, but they can appear at any age.
A weak immune system can make you more prone to getting warts. Warts are found in humid and wet environments, like swimming pools and showers.
How Can You Prevent Skin Warts?
There are many things you can do to prevent getting warts. One way is to maintain good hygiene and avoid sharing personal items. Sanitize shared surfaces and objects that other people use, like towels, nail clippers, and razors. Maintain good personal hygiene by washing your hands with soap after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food.
Protect your feet by wearing shoes or slippers at home and avoid walking barefoot in common wart-causing areas like swimming pools or shower floors.
How Can You Treat Warts?
Before you decide whether to treat your warts, talk to your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment. This will help you decide what is best for you.
If your doctor suggests that you treat your warts, there are several ways to do this, including:
Freezing Warts
In this treatment, liquid nitrogen is applied to the surface of the wart to freeze and kill it. This method can take more than one treatment to remove warts, but it can also be effective. Your doctor will advise you if freezing is the right treatment for you.
Laser Treatment
This method uses a laser beam to destroy the wart. The beam is directed at the wart to kill it and it can either be applied directly to the wart or to the surrounding area to treat the wart and the surrounding skin.
Medications
There are several types of wart medications available to buy over the counter. These medications are very effective, but they are also quite expensive. They include salicylic acid and local anesthetics. If these medications don’t work, you may need to see a doctor and find other ways to treat your warts.
Surgery or Excision
In very severe cases of warts, your doctor may suggest surgical treatment. Surgical treatment may be recommended if you have a wart that won’t go away with other treatments.
Conclusion
Warts are not too difficult to prevent, but if you have them, they can be very difficult to get rid of on your own. The good news is that there are many effective wart removal treatments available. However, it is important to know what they are and what the processes are like so that you can choose which one is right for you.
Advanced Laser Clinic in Point Cook offers a plethora of skin care treatments and procedures, including wart removal. Don’t let your warts bother you. Get them treated today and enjoy a wart-free life!