Warts
Warts are common benign skin growths caused by human papilloma viruses in the upper layer of the skin. They are usually skin-coloured and rough at touch. They can become numerous and painful.
How do people get infected?
Warts are transferred from person to person, sometimes indirectly. The time from initial contact to the appearance of a visible wart is often several months. Some people have greater susceptibility to papilloma viruses (patients with weakened immunity, skin injuries and others).
How many types of warts are there?
Flat warts – they are small, smooth and many – and can reach up to several dozen. They appear everywhere on the skin, but in the children are most often found on the face. Adults often find them on men’s chin and women’s legs as a result of shaving and epilation.
Ordinary warts – usually seen on fingers, around the nails and on the back of the hands. They are painless and non-infectious.
Warts on the feet – are usually painful. People who are affected may experience difficulty walking and running. Most of them are not raised above the skin surface.
How are warts treated?
How are warts treated?
Depending on the age of the patient and the type of warts, different treatment methods are used:
Home treatment: Some warts can be treated at home by applying a daily gel, solution or salicylic acid patch. Usually a few weeks are needed to get a satisfactory result.
Cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen): is usually used as the first treatment choice. This treatment is not as painful; repeat treatments are required at 1 to 3-week intervals.
Electro-excision (incineration with current) – in resistant warts that do not respond to other treatments.