The Ins and Outs of Skin Warts
Warts do not discriminate and can affect people of all skin colors and at all ages. In cartoons, a frog with warts may turn into a prince, but professional dermatologists will tell you it is not worth the risk to put your lips on a frog with warts. The chances of it becoming a prince are precisely 0 percent. Sorry to disappoint. Warts and incredibly common and appear for a variety of reasons. They are highly treatable, so instead of hiding them this spring and summer, visit your local dermatologist and treat them now for clearer skin when it gets warmer.
There are countless misconceptions when people see warts on themselves and others, so let’s look at some of them and put your mind at ease.
The Connection Between HPV and Warts
Warts show up on the skin because of the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are many strains of HPV, but only a couple cause warts. Warts will commonly appear on the hands and feet. However, some people find them on other parts of their body. Any questions about warts can be quickly addressed by visiting a dermatologist. It is not necessary to go to your general doctor because although they may provide topical treatment, dermatologists specifically study skin, hair, and nails and are current on all the most effective therapies, oral and topical.
The HPV virus enters the body through an opening, like a cut or scrape. The virus works quickly on the skin’s surface layers and causes the wart to grow. Warts are regularly treated on the hands but can appear in other areas of the skin.
Warts Caused by HPV Are Contagious
A person who wants to get rid of a wart or is concerned about it being caused by HPV should consult a professional and licensed dermatologist so they can test it and find out how to best treat it. It is true that warts caused by HPV are contagious, and caution should be taken when using materials on the wart area or coming into contact with others. Because not all warts are caused by HPV, it is better to find out. If it is a wart caused by HPV, precuations should be taken to protect yourself and others.
Warts Affect Everyone
As mentioned, warts do not only affect one gender or skin type. They tend to be treated more on children and young adults, but that may be because parents are concerned or young adults are more focused on making their outward appearance flawless. Although warts do not cause pain, they are often removed or treated because they make the person feel uncomfortable or self-conscious.
Wart Names and Types
The two types of warts you will most often hear about are common and plantar warts. Common warts show up on the hands and fingers, which is when most people go to the drug store and get the wart treatment from the shelf. Freezing or burning a wart can burn the skin, not just the wart, and leave a scar. It is not recommended to treat warts using this method. Instead, it is better to visit a skincare specialist in your area and have them remove it – they do it quickly, and it is affordable.
Flat warts are smaller and flatter on the face, thighs, and arms. Warts may also be called tags and are easily removed professionally.
Effective Wart Treatments
Unless an individual purchases the correct product, administers it perfectly and has no allergic reaction, over-the-counter treatments come with risks. There are home remedies, including essential oils, duct tape, and other interesting and unconventional family concoctions. Some of the techniques used in the office are cryotherapy and surgical removal.
Cryotherapy must be performed in a dermatology office or doctor’s office. This treatment requires a licensed professional to administer it because it usually freezes the wart with a targeted approach, and the wart falls off within a week. When a wart is surgically removed, it is done by a dermatologist. They may choose to cut it, burn it, or laser it. Much of this depends on the client’s needs and preferences. However, if you want a wart removed, it is only guaranteed when seeking the help of a professional trained in wart treatment and removal.
Warts don’t typically cause pain and are rarely contagious. However, they can be annoying and make individuals feel insecure about their hands, feet, face, and neck. Summer is when people start to recognize they may want to get a wart removed because as the weather warms up, people tend to wear shorter sleeves and swimwear. If you are considering a wart you want looked at and removed, contact Buckhead Dermatology. Dr. Sherrie Straughn has been treating warts for decades and services areas around Atlanta. Contact her offices today for an appointment, and get your skin summer-ready!