Warts

Wart(s) the matter?

Rough, smooth, hard, soft; light or dark, warts are present on almost all most people and even some animals. Small and usually painless round growths on our skin, most warts are quite harmless and disappear on their own in about 2 years or so. Sometimes they can itch or hurt; more so if they are on our feet. The ones that appear on the feet are called plantar warts.

History says that warts have afflicted human beings for over several thousand years, with archaeologists having discovered them on mummies in Egypt and their existence has even been mentioned in poetry and prose!

Warts are known to be caused by the HPV (human papillomavirus), and they affect the way we look causing embarrassment sometimes as most warts are raised and with rough surface and mildly spongy look. Almost all warts can spread from one body part to another. Warts can appear in odd places too; like under your nails – making them harder to treat than the ones in other places. In some cases warts can pose trouble.

You should be worried if you have warts on sensitive parts of your body - like genitals, mouth, nostrils. There are some types of warts which spread through sex and certain warts even carry an increased risk of cancer. Be sure to visit your doctor if you have pain or if you have any bleeding or an infection, like pus or scabs around a wart.

• Watch out if the wart becomes discoloured, from what it was originally.
• To prevent warts it is best to refrain from touching it and remember to wash your hands well with soap after you touch a wart.
• Try not to be barefoot often. Wear a light pair of slippers while indoors and wear shoes and socks otherwise to prevent plantar warts. Wash your feet well and dry them.
• Never ever try to remove a wart on your own yourself by picking at it or by any other means.

Make an appointment with the dermatology specialists at the S10 Health SafeCare Network today and get your warts checked.