8 things you should know about warts

The appearance of warts is much more common than we think. The cause is a virus, specifically the human papillomavirus. When they die, they usually disappear on their own, but that does not mean we should ignore them. They tend to be rounded, and can appear singly or in groups.

1. Where do warts appear?

Usually appear on the skin in areas like the face or hands (with the addition of being ugly), but they can also do so in other parts of the body, from the feet to the intimate areas.

In the latter case, the warts are often accompanied by pain sensation. They can cause injuries to the genital mucosa (cervix, vagina…). It is essential to consult the physician to control and to apply the appropriate treatment.

2. Are warts contagious?

The papillomavirus is transmitted by infected either by direct infection with the skin or mucous membranes. The infection can also occur by sharing objects such as manicure tools or a towel, for example.

Warts on the face or hands is more complicated than getting sick, unless the contact occurs any wound or cut. Genital warts are easier to spread.

3. How do you recognize warts?

The most common warts usually have a rounded, rough shape, and usually appear on the hands and knees. On the face and legs are usually more flat warts.

For the feet, they can grow inward, causing a sense of pain when walking. Another place where it can be hide under the fingernails and toenails (in this case usually very small) and the eyelids or neck (closer). Although these warts are usually benign, should consult a doctor.

4. Neither cut nor boot

It’s just what we should never do, because it can facilitate the spread to other parts of the body through bleeding or cutting instrument.

5. How to treat warts?

Even as we have noted, usually disappear on their own (they can take months to do so), we can also use some kind of dermatological treatment. In the case that the wart is annoying (pain, itching), other therapies such as laser or cryosurgery may be applied (especially in the case of plantar).

6. Warts on intimate areas

They usually appear in groups and in addition to note touch can come accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain, itching, or burning. For women, usually appear on the area of the cervix or vagina. These warts have to pay much attention.

7. Can wart cause cervical cancer?

Warts are included among strains of low-risk papilloma virus. In more than 95% of the cases they have no major complications.

8. Can wart warn of melanoma?

Warts, as such, have nothing to do with this type of tumor, but it resemblance to the initial lesion of melanoma (a mole that changes and grows rapidly, increasing in height as a wart). We should go to the dermatologist as soon as it can be removed without major complications if detected early.