Have you noticed something like a small bump on your arm, leg, or anywhere else on your body? Does it feel a little rough when you touch it? It could be a wart. This is a common condition among many people in our country. Although some people are afraid of it, warts are actually not something to be afraid of. So today, let's talk about what these warts are, why they form, and what can be done about them.
What exactly are warts?
Simply put, warts are small, non-cancerous (benign) growths on our skin. The main cause of these is a virus called Human Papillomavirus ( HPV ) . There are more than 100 types of this HPV virus. But not all of them cause warts. Only some types cause warts in different parts of our body.
Most of the time, warts are harmless. But sometimes they can be uncomfortable. They can even hurt. And they can be a little embarrassing, even psychologically, because of their appearance.
Are there types of warts? Let's see what the main types are.
Yes, warts can be divided into several main types based on their appearance, where they occur, and the type of HPV virus that causes them. Let's take a look at the types we commonly see.
| Type | Where it usually occurs | Appearance and characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Common warts (Verrucca vulgaris) | Often in the hands and fingers | They look like rough bumps. Sometimes you can see small black dots inside. These black dots are actually small blood vessels. |
| Plantar warts | On the soles of the feet | These are flat warts that often grow inward. They can feel painful when walking or standing, as if a stone is stuck in your shoe. |
| Flat warts | It can occur anywhere, such as the face, hands, and neck. | They are smaller and smoother than other warts. They often occur in clusters of 20-100. |
| Filiform warts | On the face - around the eyes, nose, mouth | It looks like a long thread hanging from the skin. |
| Genital warts | In the genital and anal areas | These are sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They are spread through skin-to-skin contact. They require special medical treatment. |
How do warts develop? Are they contagious?
Yes, warts are contagious. This is because the HPV virus that causes them is contagious.
Imagine that you have a small scratch or wound on your skin. That's where the HPV virus can easily enter your body. Once inside, the virus causes skin cells to grow rapidly. That's when the top layer of skin thickens and becomes rough.
There are two ways warts can be transmitted:
1. Direct contact : If you touch the skin or skin contact of someone who has the infection.
2. Indirect contact: If you use items such as towels, razors, or nail clippers that have been used by someone who has an infection.
Therefore, it is best to avoid walking barefoot in places like public bathrooms and swimming pools, as this virus can spread easily in humid environments.
What are the treatments for warts?
The good news is that most warts, especially in people with healthy immune systems, will go away on their own within about two years without any treatment. However, because warts can spread and cause pain or discomfort, many people seek treatment.
Things you can do at home
There are some types of ointments that you can buy over-the-counter from pharmacies. These often contain a chemical called salicylic acid .
- These come as liquids, gels, or patches.
- What this medicine does is slowly dissolve and remove the skin layer by layer.
- But this treatment takes time and patience. You may have to take the medication every day for several months to completely eliminate the condition.
Very important: Never try to cut, pull, or remove warts yourself. Doing so can easily cause the wound to fester and lead to serious infections.
Treatment by a doctor
If home treatments don't help, your doctor may recommend other treatments.
- Cryotherapy: This involves freezing the wart using liquid nitrogen. The dead skin will fall off in a few days. This treatment may need to be repeated several times.
- Applying special medications: Some chemicals that only doctors use are applied to the wart. This causes a blister to form under the wart, cutting off the blood supply to the wart and causing it to die.
- Surgical removal: The doctor can cut out the wart and remove it. However, this may leave a small scar.
- Electrosurgery: A method of removing warts using heat from a special device.
- Laser treatment: Laser rays are used to destroy the small blood vessels inside the tumor. The tumor then dies due to the loss of blood supply.
Can warts be prevented?
Although it cannot be completely prevented, there are several things we can do to reduce the risk.
- Don't go touching someone else's warts.
- Do not share personal items such as towels, razors, and nail clippers with others.
- Stop biting your nails and picking at your skin.
- Don't let your skin dry out and crack, as the virus can easily enter through cracked skin.
- Wear a pair of slippers in public bathrooms and swimming pools.
- If you already have a wart, cover it with a plaster. Avoid scratching or popping it. If you touch a wart, wash your hands immediately.
When do you need to see a doctor?
Most of the time, warts are not serious. However, in the following cases, it is best to see a doctor.
| Opportunity | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you are not sure if the lump on your skin is real. | Some skin cancers can look like warts in the early stages, so it's best to see a doctor if you have any concerns. |
| If you have warts on your face, genitals, or inside your mouth. | Treating sensitive areas like these at home is risky. It is essential to seek medical advice. |
| If there are many warts or they are spreading rapidly. | This could be a sign of a weakened immune system. |
| If the warts are painful, itchy, burning, or bleeding. | These may be signs of an infection and require proper treatment. |
| If you have diabetes, especially if you develop a foot ulcer. | Diabetic foot wounds heal slowly and are more susceptible to infection, so it is very dangerous to treat them yourself. |
So, even though warts are a minor nuisance, they are very easy to manage if you are properly informed about them.
Take-Home Message
- Warts are caused by a virus called HPV. They are usually not dangerous cancerous conditions.
- Warts can be spread through touch. So avoid touching other people's warts and sharing personal items (towels, razors).
- Most warts heal on their own over time, but they can be treated more quickly.
- Never try to cut, pull, or remove warts yourself. This can cause serious infections.
- If you have any doubts about your mole, if it is painful, if it is in a sensitive area, or if you have a medical condition like diabetes, be sure to see your doctor.
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