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Everything
you always wanted to know about Warts but were afraid to ask.
Historically,
warts were associated with witches, but most of us have suffered
from 'cauliflower' nasties at some point.
These
small skin growths - often with a rough surface can really hurt.
There are several different types:
Common
warts (which account for 70% of all warts)
Plane warts (smoother and usually found on the back of your
hands)
Plantar warts (otherwise known as Verrucas)
Genital Warts.
So
what gives warts their cauliflower-like appearance?
This
is due to an excess of the protein keratin in the skin, caused
by the wart virus, which results in the growth's rough raised
appearance.
Genital
warts however are often smooth and flat and can be harder to spot.
What
Causes Them?
Both
warts and thier foot equivalents verrucas are caused by the Human
Papilloma virus (HPV). The bad news is that there are
more than 100 HPV strains, each causing different types of wart.
Children
are more likely to get them as their bodies have had no previous
exposure to the HPV Virus and therefore have no immunity to it.
Individuals
with a lowered immune system eg transplant patients taking immune-suppressant
drugs are also more susceptible to developing warts.
How
do you catch them?
Warts
are usually transfered through skin contact. Swimming pools and
other areas where you go barefoot are easy places to pick up warts
and verrucas. You can also transfer warts to different areas of
your own body via broken skin, so take extra care.
Any
Consequences?
Aside
from being an eyesore and causing minor discomfort, most warts
are completely harmless. Genital warts, however can have serious
consequences. These are caused by a different strain of the HPV
virus to the common wart, and are sexually transmitted.
Women
who have suffered from gential warts are more likley to develop
cervial cancer in later life. Gential warts have also been linked
with an increased risk of a form of skin cancer known as Squamous
cell carinoma, but this is very rare.
The
only way to avoid catching genital warts is by using condoms.
How
can I get rid of them?
20
per cent of warts disappear without treatment within 6 months,
and 65 percent within 2 years, so wait a while before taking action.
For
more persistant and painful offenders, there are a variety of
treatments available.
Conventional
medical therapies include Cryotherapy, which involves a doctor
'freezing off' the wart by spraying it with carbon dioxide. Alternatively
you can paint the wart with salycic acid based treatment.
Where
can I find out more?
For
more details on getting rid of all kinds of warts quickly and
safely, click here.
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