Warts is a very common skin condition. In most cases it is completely benign, except for genital warts which can in some cases cause cancerous changes and therefore should be treated immediately when spotted.
Warts are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) which nests itself in the top layers of skin, feeding on the blood from blood vessels and causing skin cells to grow together and form the unsightly growths that we recognize as warts. You can catch warts virus through skin contact with another infected person or anywhere in public place.
Warts usually disappear on their own within 12 to 16 months. In some cases warts can be stubborn enough to stay there for years. Warts virus is contagious and it can spread onto the surrounding skin and on the people around you so it is advisable to treat warts the moment you notice them.
Fortunately, there are numerous warts treatments. Some are performed by doctors and some of them can be performed at home. In case you decide to use home remedies you should first consult your GP to be completely sure that you have warts and not some other, similar condition.
You can get rid of warts in three ways: by undergoing professional treatment in the doctor's office, by using OTC remedies that you can purchase in the pharmacy or by using natural remedies that can be bought in a nearby supermarket.
Professional treatments performed by doctors are usually the fastest solution although most of them cause scars like surgery, laser surgery and electric needle. Cantharidin treatment, pulsed dye laser and Miquimod cream will leave no scars. Very popular and most commonly used method is cryotherapy, or freezing, but it can leave minor scars in more serious warts cases. Usually one to three visits to doctor's office is needed to eliminate warts.
If you decide to cure warts on your own, OTC remedies will prove to be practical and affordable solution for your problem. They come in the form of liquids, gels and adhesive discs that you can apply over your wart. The most effective are those containing salicylic acid but there are other containing castor oil and fruit acids and oils. You can also perform cryotherapy at home using applicators that you can purchase in the pharmacy, but make sure you follow the instructions that go with the product to avoid scarring. Depending on the remedy and the number and size of your warts it will take you several days to several weeks to get rid of them.
Natural remedies for warts are those that can be purchased in almost any market or pharmacy. Those remedies are: garlic, apple cider vinegar, Aloe Vera gel, castor oil, tea tree oil, zinc tablets, Thuja Occidentalis and some rather unusual remedies, like banana peel and duct tape. The treatment will take a few days to a few months depending on the remedy, type and number of warts. These remedies are affordable, have no side effects and in most cases the treatment is completely painless and suitable even for the small children.
Do not use OTC and natural remedies to cure genital warts without consulting your doctor first!
The best way to protect yourself from warts is to build strong immune system by consuming lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, spending time in the open air and taking regular exercises. People with dry skin are particularly susceptible to warts virus which can attack through the fissures in the skin. Hand cream and regular hygiene procedures will offer necessary protection.
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