HPV warts are a common sexually transmitted disease (STD), and yet many women are confused about them. What kind of HPV infection causes warts, how are they treated and how dangerous are they? We turn to a top women’s health expert for answers...
Many sexually active women worry about STDs, such as chlamydia or herpes. But there’s another extremely common one you need to watch for.
If you’re sexually active, you may have been exposed to external genital warts (EGW), an embarrassing and sometimes painful condition caused by infection from some types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
About 20 million Americans are infected with HPV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An additional 6 million people become newly infected each year.
Though HPV warts cause painful skin bumps, they aren’t the same as genital herpes, which is an unrelated virus. But as with herpes, once you’re infected, they stick around for life.
“I’ve had older women show up with the warts for the first time in their lives, and they’re widows [who] haven’t had sex for 20 years,” says Anita L. Nelson, M.D., a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA’s medical school and staff physician at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, Calif.
“Suddenly their bodies can’t cope with a virus that they’ve been walking around with for decades, and it shows itself,” Nelson says.
To learn more about this common STD, read on as Nelson explains the risks and treatments for HPV warts.
What causes external genital warts?
They’re caused by certain kinds of sexually transmitted HPV. There are more than 40 HPV types that can affect the genital area of women and men. But more than 90% of genital wart cases are due to HPV types 6 and 11.
HPVs are almost always a marker [of sexual activity]. If you look at folks in their 80s or 90s, and their lifetime exposure, about 85% of people will get at least one HPV infection. Genital warts are one of the earliest manifestations of an HPV infection.
How common are HPV 6 and 11?
Are you ready for this number? One percent of all sexually active women and men get genital warts every year. We see them in everyone – women in pregnancy, young women exploring their sexuality, older women.
How soon after contact do the warts typically occur?
That’s one of the most frequently asked questions, because [a woman’s] really asking, “Who gave it to me?”
Typically, you get warts within 1-4 months [after HPV infection]. But the virus can be kept in check by the immune system until the guard goes down.
Does everyone exposed to HPV 6 and 11 get warts?
After a woman gets the infection, warts can blossom – or you can have none at all, as the body’s immune system fights [the virus].
It’s the presence of the wart and the [strength of] the immune system that tell us whether she’ll get visible HPV warts.
Can HPV warts surface at any time in your life – even years after exposure?
Yes, it puts you on a lifetime of surveillance. Sometimes, we’ll see [them] later in life, when people get sick or their immune system gets compromised either by chemotherapy or other drugs.
So it’s not just when you get a new sex partner. It’s possible to have to fight [an HPV] infection your whole life.
How can a sexually active woman avoid getting HPV warts?
Using condoms consistently reduces the risk of acquiring or transmitting the virus and would help decrease the risk of getting the warts in general.
Also, interestingly, this virus infects rapidly dividing cells. So anywhere there’s a little trauma, tear or abrasion, the body can pick up the HPV infection and bring it inside the cells.
Sometimes we’ll see the warts with younger women, because it’s the first time they’ve had sex and the vaginal tissue isn’t quite elastic. It’s the same with some older women [who have] dryness.
Does the number of sex partners a woman has in her lifetime increase the risk of HPV warts?
Yes, people who have had more than 10 sexual partners over their lifetime are more likely to report a diagnosis of genital warts than those who’ve had one or two.
The more sex partners you have, the more likely you are to have the different types of HPV infection.
And there’s no limit to how many [different] HPVs you can have. Limiting the number of partners and using condoms are very important.
Are HPV warts spread only through genital contact?
No, the virus also [creates] warts in the mouth, throat – even the inside of the eyelids. You can spread the virus from [any] moist source to another.
But there has to be a source, and generally you’re going to be carrying [the virus] in the genitals.
We have to be quite frank about sexual practices today. There’s a lot of oral-genital contact. If he has a little wart in his mouth, it can wind up on her genitalia – or the other way around.
Can HPV warts lead to cervical cancer?
There are so many different types of HPV. The ones we usually see with the warts are 6 and 11, and they make up about 90% of the warts. These do not cause cancer.
But the other 10% of warts can have viruses mixed in, including those that can cause cancers in the genital area, such as cervical or vulva cancers or even anal cancer. You can’t tell by looking at the wart.
But a wart isn’t a death sentence.
Are external genital warts more a scary psychological issue than a fatal health danger?
It may cause some physical discomfort, such as burning and itching, or even bleeding in an intimate situation.
But there’s also psychological discomfort to realize you’ve been exposed to a virus that you’re going to live with for the rest of your life. And somebody’s probably [saying] that some of the viruses cause cancer.
So when you find out you have EGW, you have a lot of issues to deal with, not just that little bump.
Are women more likely than men to get the warts?
No, but we have more statistics on women because doctors tend to [see] women much more routinely. [Gynecologists] do a Pap smear, looking inside and all over.
Guys tend to just look at themselves [and] don’t come in for routine exams.
A fact I find sad: In most of the clinical trials, the guys have had their warts a lot longer than the women have.
When a woman sees one of those things, she rushes [to her doctor] and says, “Get it off of me!”
Can Pap tests detect HPV warts?
Not the warts, but [they can detect the HPV] virus.
How are they diagnosed?
You want to have them professionally diagnosed. Usually [physicians] just eyeball them and don’t have to do a biopsy. A doctor can tell right away it’s a wart [because] they have a little attachment to the skin and multiple protuberances from the single stalk.
What do the warts look like?
They’re chameleons. They can look soft and fleshy, almost like a skin tag, or rock-hard and large with branches like a cauliflower.
They can be a small little dot or bigger than your fist.
Are they easier to treat if discovered early?
Yes, don’t wait. When you feel a bump, especially around the opening of the vagina, or behind the vagina where there has been contact, see your doctor.
Also, it’s important to know that once you get infected, it’s a regional infection. For example, you can get a wart inside your anus even if you haven’t had anal sex.
How soon should a wart be treated?
It’s not a medical emergency. But the HPV warts that are really hard to treat have been there for months and have hardened.
If you can’t get an appointment for 2-3 weeks after feeling the bump, don’t freak out. But don’t wait months.
Most women will get the HPV virus and their body can handle it. But women with a persistent HPV infection are the ones we want to [identify].
I want to see a young woman three or four years after she has had sex to see if she can handle the virus or not.
Is she having persistent infections, which could be a predictor of cervical cancer? Those are the women we want to find, so we can treat any pre-cancers.
For women over 30 who got the virus earlier in life, we’re testing to see if they show cells that go awry and also [to determine] if they’re still shedding the virus.
When a woman has visible HPV warts, should she stop having sex?
When we’re treating women for warts, we ask them to be particularly careful and maybe even abstain from sex.
[That’s because] as we’re treating it, [there are] inflammatory changes and maybe even a little ulcer, and those tissues are more vulnerable to acquiring another infection.
So take it easy for a while or use condoms. [Abstain from] oral sex too.
Once you have HPV warts, are you always contagious?
You spread more viral particles when you have a concentration of [warts]. But [with] a treatment, you rev up the body’s immune system, and it will help reduce the amount of viruses you have and spread.
You [also] can avoid spreading through safe sex practices.
What’s the recommended treatment for HPV warts?
Get rid of the warts. We can treat fresh warts with easy topical therapies. There are three [at-home] creams your doctor can prescribe that can be applied in different ways.
Imiquimod 5% (sold as Aldara), [is] a cream that’s applied 3 times a week, until the wart melts away, for up to 16 weeks. Imiquimod 3.75% (Zyclara) [is] a cream you use daily for up to 8 weeks.
Then there’s podofilox (Condylox), a prescription gel or liquid you use for 3 days and then you take off 4 days, for up to 4 cycles.
How do these work?
Podofilox works by destroying the skin of the wart. The two imiquimods are really groundbreaking because they don’t play with the wart at all, but instead turn on the body’s immune system, [which] attacks the virus in the wart so it melts away.
These therapies have really simplified things. When a new wart comes, just put cream on it.
Are there natural remedies?
[One treatment is] green tea extract, which is applied 3 times a day for up to 16 weeks. We’re not quite sure how it works, but some people really like the idea [because] it’s natural. Green tea is an antioxidant. You use it in ointment form (Veregen).
How are hardened warts treated?
If you’ve had them for a while and they’ve hardened, then you’re talking doctor-administered destructive therapies.
We can snip them off if they have a tiny base. Or we can freeze them with acids to dehydrate them and kill the cells.
For the ones that are really hard to deal with, we’ll [surgically] excise them or do laser treatments.
Are women more likely to get HPV warts if they’re on oral contraceptives?
It isn’t that the pill causes more problems, but that condoms protect [against HPV infection].
That said, if someone can’t knock down her warts after you’ve treated it, it may be that her immune system is teetering on the edge and the pill pushed it over.
But I would never stop [prescribing] a woman’s pill just because she had a wart.
Are HPV warts a danger during pregnancy?
The virus can be passed on before or during birth, but the warts don’t pose a major risk to the baby’s health.
Symptoms of genital warts can get worse during pregnancy, however, because [a woman’s] immune system gets suppressed, [making her more susceptible to viruses and infections].
Warts can blossom so much that they’ll obstruct delivery of the baby. And you have to treat the warts in a way that’s not harmful to the baby.
Do the HPV vaccines (recommended for girls ages 9 to 26) protect against the warts?
Gardasil protects against the two HPVs that cause 90% of genital warts. Cervarix doesn’t. Both protect against the HPVs that cause 70% of cervical cancers.
Warts are tangible, so you can say to your kids, “See that? You don’t want to get one of those.” So it may be part of the discussion about the vaccines.
What are the top things a woman should keep in mind about HPV warts?
Use condoms and be choosy in your partners. People ought to take a good look at what they’re being exposed to when they’re getting into a relationship where there’s going to be sex.
Also, make sure you’re paying as much attention to health in your genital area as you are to other parts of your body. Some women are more in tune with the bottoms of their feet than they are with the beauty of their genitalia.
Self-examine, and at least feel if there are any bumps or areas of soreness where there shouldn’t be.
And don’t hesitate to see your doctor if you do find anything.
Reference:
http://www.lifescript.com/
Facts about Genital warts
What Is It?
Genital warts are warts that form on the skin of the genital area. They are caused by certain subtypes of the human papilloma virus (HPV), the same virus that causes warts on other areas of the body. Genital warts are spread through sexual intercourse, so they are classified as a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and can affect both men and women. Genital warts also are known as condyloma acuminata or venereal warts. They can develop anywhere near the vagina, cervix, genitals or rectum.
Because genital warts can take six months to develop, you can have the infection without having any symptoms. Human papilloma virus also causes virtually all cases of cervical cancer worldwide. The subtypes that are most likely to cause cancer are different from those that usually cause warts. However, many people are infected with more than one subtype. Therefore, people with genital warts are more likely to be infected with a cancer-causing virus as well.
Symptoms
Genital warts appear on moist surfaces, especially at the entrance of the vagina and rectum in women. In men and women, they can appear anywhere in the genital or anal area. They may be small, flat, flesh-colored bumps or tiny, cauliflower-like bumps. Individual warts usually measure 1 millimeter to 2 millimeters in diameter – much smaller than the diameter of a pencil eraser – but clusters can be quite large. In some cases, warts can be so small that you can't see them. Genital warts may not cause any symptoms, or they may cause itching, burning, tenderness or pain.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and about your sexual habits and any prior episodes of STDs. Your doctor will then examine you to look for evidence of genital warts. A vinegar-like solution placed on the skin turns the warts white and makes diagnosis easier. Other diagnostic tests may include:
All sex partners also should be tested for the infection.
Expected Duration
Genital warts may go away on their own or with treatment, or they may last for years. It is common for genital warts to return after they are removed.
Prevention
The best way to prevent genital warts is to avoid sex or have sex with only one uninfected partner. Using condoms also may help to prevent infection. However, condoms can't always cover all affected skin. Factors that increase your risk of becoming infected include:
If you have had genital warts, you should be tested for cervical cancer at least once every year. Cervical cancer can be prevented with regular screening (Pap smears), and can be cured in most cases when it is detected in early stages.
In June 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine against HPV for use in women. The currently available vaccine (several pharmaceutical companies are developing a version) targets HPV strains 6 and 11, which cause 90 percent of genital warts – as well as the major cervical cancer-causing strains, 16 and 18. Given as a set of three shots over six months, the vaccine will protect against only those four strains, and will not cure existing infections.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added the HPV vaccine to its official vaccination recommendations in July 2006. It proposed that all 11- and 12-year-old American girls get the shots, although girls as young as 9 could receive it if they're sexually active. For "catch-up," the CDC also recommends that girls and women ages 13 to 26 be vaccinated against HPV, regardless of their Pap test results.
The vaccine works best before an individual has been exposed to HPV. Early vaccination provides the greatest chance of preventing cervical cancer and genital warts. Older girls and young women were included in the CDC recommendations because even if they've had some exposure to HPV, it may not be to the strains contained in the vaccine, so they'll get some protection.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size and location of the warts. Even though the warts may be removed, there may still be some virus remaining in the skin, which is why the warts often return. Some of the medications used to treat genital warts cannot be used during pregnancy, so it's important to tell your doctor if you could be pregnant.
Small warts may be treated with medications applied to the skin. In some cases, applying liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) to warts will freeze the tissue and make warts disappear. Some larger warts require laser treatment, or surgical removal. Do not treat genital warts yourself with nonprescription drugs used for wart removal on hands, because these chemicals can make the genital area very sore. Your doctor may prescribe a medication that you can apply to the warts at home. Apply this medication carefully to avoid damaging surrounding healthy tissue, keep it out of your eyes and wash it off after the number of hours your doctor instructs you to leave it on. Your doctor also may suggest that you apply a protective coating of petroleum jelly on delicate surrounding tissue before you apply your prescribed medication. In some cases, your doctor may use a small needle to inject alpha-interferon into each wart. Alpha-interferon injections are usually considered only if other treatment methods are unsuccessful or if warts come back after being removed. You will be told to avoid sexual relations until treatment is completed.
When To Call a Professional
Contact your physician if you notice warts or bumps on your genital area, or if you have itching, burning, tenderness or pain in that area. Call your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection, such as fever, chills or muscle aches.
Prognosis
Genital warts may go away on their own or with treatment. It is common for them to return. Certain strains of the virus (HPV), which causes genital warts, cause virtually all cases of cervical cancer worldwide, though only a small percentage of the women who become infected will develop cancer. Cervical cancer develops slowly over decades. If you have genital warts, you are also likely to have been infected with a cancer-causing strain of the virus. You should be sure to get Pap smears regularly.
Reference:
http://www.menshealth.com/
Genital warts are warts that form on the skin of the genital area. They are caused by certain subtypes of the human papilloma virus (HPV), the same virus that causes warts on other areas of the body. Genital warts are spread through sexual intercourse, so they are classified as a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and can affect both men and women. Genital warts also are known as condyloma acuminata or venereal warts. They can develop anywhere near the vagina, cervix, genitals or rectum.
Because genital warts can take six months to develop, you can have the infection without having any symptoms. Human papilloma virus also causes virtually all cases of cervical cancer worldwide. The subtypes that are most likely to cause cancer are different from those that usually cause warts. However, many people are infected with more than one subtype. Therefore, people with genital warts are more likely to be infected with a cancer-causing virus as well.
Symptoms
Genital warts appear on moist surfaces, especially at the entrance of the vagina and rectum in women. In men and women, they can appear anywhere in the genital or anal area. They may be small, flat, flesh-colored bumps or tiny, cauliflower-like bumps. Individual warts usually measure 1 millimeter to 2 millimeters in diameter – much smaller than the diameter of a pencil eraser – but clusters can be quite large. In some cases, warts can be so small that you can't see them. Genital warts may not cause any symptoms, or they may cause itching, burning, tenderness or pain.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and about your sexual habits and any prior episodes of STDs. Your doctor will then examine you to look for evidence of genital warts. A vinegar-like solution placed on the skin turns the warts white and makes diagnosis easier. Other diagnostic tests may include:
- Tissue biopsy – A small piece of tissue is removed and examined in a laboratory.
- Colposcopy – An instrument called a colposcope is used to magnify and inspect possible warts in the vagina and on the cervix.
- Papanicolaou (Pap) smear
All sex partners also should be tested for the infection.
Expected Duration
Genital warts may go away on their own or with treatment, or they may last for years. It is common for genital warts to return after they are removed.
Prevention
The best way to prevent genital warts is to avoid sex or have sex with only one uninfected partner. Using condoms also may help to prevent infection. However, condoms can't always cover all affected skin. Factors that increase your risk of becoming infected include:
- Having other STDs (because the risk factors are the same)
- Multiple sex partners
- Smoking
- Certain vitamin deficiencies
- Medications or medical conditions that suppress the immune system, such as AIDS
If you have had genital warts, you should be tested for cervical cancer at least once every year. Cervical cancer can be prevented with regular screening (Pap smears), and can be cured in most cases when it is detected in early stages.
In June 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine against HPV for use in women. The currently available vaccine (several pharmaceutical companies are developing a version) targets HPV strains 6 and 11, which cause 90 percent of genital warts – as well as the major cervical cancer-causing strains, 16 and 18. Given as a set of three shots over six months, the vaccine will protect against only those four strains, and will not cure existing infections.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added the HPV vaccine to its official vaccination recommendations in July 2006. It proposed that all 11- and 12-year-old American girls get the shots, although girls as young as 9 could receive it if they're sexually active. For "catch-up," the CDC also recommends that girls and women ages 13 to 26 be vaccinated against HPV, regardless of their Pap test results.
The vaccine works best before an individual has been exposed to HPV. Early vaccination provides the greatest chance of preventing cervical cancer and genital warts. Older girls and young women were included in the CDC recommendations because even if they've had some exposure to HPV, it may not be to the strains contained in the vaccine, so they'll get some protection.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size and location of the warts. Even though the warts may be removed, there may still be some virus remaining in the skin, which is why the warts often return. Some of the medications used to treat genital warts cannot be used during pregnancy, so it's important to tell your doctor if you could be pregnant.
Small warts may be treated with medications applied to the skin. In some cases, applying liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) to warts will freeze the tissue and make warts disappear. Some larger warts require laser treatment, or surgical removal. Do not treat genital warts yourself with nonprescription drugs used for wart removal on hands, because these chemicals can make the genital area very sore. Your doctor may prescribe a medication that you can apply to the warts at home. Apply this medication carefully to avoid damaging surrounding healthy tissue, keep it out of your eyes and wash it off after the number of hours your doctor instructs you to leave it on. Your doctor also may suggest that you apply a protective coating of petroleum jelly on delicate surrounding tissue before you apply your prescribed medication. In some cases, your doctor may use a small needle to inject alpha-interferon into each wart. Alpha-interferon injections are usually considered only if other treatment methods are unsuccessful or if warts come back after being removed. You will be told to avoid sexual relations until treatment is completed.
When To Call a Professional
Contact your physician if you notice warts or bumps on your genital area, or if you have itching, burning, tenderness or pain in that area. Call your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection, such as fever, chills or muscle aches.
Prognosis
Genital warts may go away on their own or with treatment. It is common for them to return. Certain strains of the virus (HPV), which causes genital warts, cause virtually all cases of cervical cancer worldwide, though only a small percentage of the women who become infected will develop cancer. Cervical cancer develops slowly over decades. If you have genital warts, you are also likely to have been infected with a cancer-causing strain of the virus. You should be sure to get Pap smears regularly.
Reference:
http://www.menshealth.com/
Warts experiences and how they solved it
Wart experience of wartmal:
I had a wart on my palm few years ago about half a cm in diameter. It developed from an un-popped blister inflicted by hot oil while cooking. I never properly treated it but was always annoyed by it, sometimes picking out pulps sticking out just for the satisfaction imagining I could pick out the whole colony, which clearly failed. About three months later returning from the beach I realized the wart begins to wilt but quickly grows back again. Assuming it was the salinity of the sea water, I covered the wart with table salt holding it together with a Band-Aid changing the salt and Band-Aid every day. After about 3-4 days, the wart shrunk turned dark. Once again, I picked the wart with the tweezers and the entire layer of wart was pulled out. Aww, the satisfaction! Underneath was pink tender skin like you have underneath the outer transparent skin. I did made an appointment with the doctor but the wart was gone when I went to see him. The wart never came back but the doctor doesn't believe the salt removed it.
Wart experience of RM:
I used to work with a lot of produce at a grocery store when I was a teenager and I got warts on my hands like they were going out of style. I had a couple of them frozen off and one cut off, but I kept getting them. Someone that I worked with told me to soak my hands in very hot water for at least 10 minutes every day until they were gone, hot as I could stand without actually burning the healthy skin. He said the wart tissue was not as resilient as normal tissue and would die from the heat. I used water that was about 125 degrees (F) for 15 minutes each day just to make sure. I don't really know when the warts were done in but they all started crumbling off after about a week. As long as I worked there and remembered I kept soaking in very hot water and the warts never came back. I don't work with produce any more so I don't get them anymore, but there is no way they all fell off in the same few days. It had to be the hot water.
Wart experience of knittr:
I have been undergoing treatment for two plantar warts on my left heel for a few months now and am considering stopping in favor of home treatment. My doctor's methods (firI had plantar warts since Junior High School. They were on and off painful, especially as a track runner and the spike catches a hard cinder (60's era). The pain would drop me to the ground. Finally as an adult (30ish) I sought the assistance of a dermatologist. The Doctor used a variety of treatments, electrical burning, acid, cutting and the problem never went away. After a year of weekly treatments, lots of cash, and hobbling around in pain I stopped. I read an article in Readers Digest on plantar warts (mid 70's) and how difficult it was to remove using conventional means. The article stated that if you soaked your feet in 120 deg F water for 20 minutes a day they would go away. They were gone in about a week and never returned.st three treatments with cantharidin, last two with liquid nitrogen and a yeast injection) have been pretty effective so far. Cantharidin reduced the smaller of the two after only two treatments, whereas the larger one didn't budge much. After one liquid nitrogen and injection session, both are quite a bit improved and the smaller one nearly cured. However, in my experience these treatments have been quite painful and temporarily limit my usual activities (the first few days after treatment are painful enough to make walking unpleasant and yoga out of the question).
Wart experience of vj:
I had few planter warts under my right foot. I tried freezing it but it didn't work. I read they are temperature sensitive, that's why doctors try to burn them and freeze them. I decided to treat my planter wart. I soaked my feet in warm water for 3-4 weeks daily. The temperature of water should be warm (don't burn or harm yourself). The entire wart turned black and then I used pumice stone to slowly scrape them daily. I changed my diet to very healthy foods including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables for strong immunity as a healthy immune system also kills the wart virus. All the warts on my foot are gone. No marks, no pain.
Wart experience of leneysr:
I have had the wart on my upper arm frozen off by a doctor twice--this last time the frozen part did not drop off and it has gotten larger by about five times. Going to try the duct tape method.
I had a wart on my palm few years ago about half a cm in diameter. It developed from an un-popped blister inflicted by hot oil while cooking. I never properly treated it but was always annoyed by it, sometimes picking out pulps sticking out just for the satisfaction imagining I could pick out the whole colony, which clearly failed. About three months later returning from the beach I realized the wart begins to wilt but quickly grows back again. Assuming it was the salinity of the sea water, I covered the wart with table salt holding it together with a Band-Aid changing the salt and Band-Aid every day. After about 3-4 days, the wart shrunk turned dark. Once again, I picked the wart with the tweezers and the entire layer of wart was pulled out. Aww, the satisfaction! Underneath was pink tender skin like you have underneath the outer transparent skin. I did made an appointment with the doctor but the wart was gone when I went to see him. The wart never came back but the doctor doesn't believe the salt removed it.
Wart experience of RM:
I used to work with a lot of produce at a grocery store when I was a teenager and I got warts on my hands like they were going out of style. I had a couple of them frozen off and one cut off, but I kept getting them. Someone that I worked with told me to soak my hands in very hot water for at least 10 minutes every day until they were gone, hot as I could stand without actually burning the healthy skin. He said the wart tissue was not as resilient as normal tissue and would die from the heat. I used water that was about 125 degrees (F) for 15 minutes each day just to make sure. I don't really know when the warts were done in but they all started crumbling off after about a week. As long as I worked there and remembered I kept soaking in very hot water and the warts never came back. I don't work with produce any more so I don't get them anymore, but there is no way they all fell off in the same few days. It had to be the hot water.
Wart experience of knittr:
I have been undergoing treatment for two plantar warts on my left heel for a few months now and am considering stopping in favor of home treatment. My doctor's methods (firI had plantar warts since Junior High School. They were on and off painful, especially as a track runner and the spike catches a hard cinder (60's era). The pain would drop me to the ground. Finally as an adult (30ish) I sought the assistance of a dermatologist. The Doctor used a variety of treatments, electrical burning, acid, cutting and the problem never went away. After a year of weekly treatments, lots of cash, and hobbling around in pain I stopped. I read an article in Readers Digest on plantar warts (mid 70's) and how difficult it was to remove using conventional means. The article stated that if you soaked your feet in 120 deg F water for 20 minutes a day they would go away. They were gone in about a week and never returned.st three treatments with cantharidin, last two with liquid nitrogen and a yeast injection) have been pretty effective so far. Cantharidin reduced the smaller of the two after only two treatments, whereas the larger one didn't budge much. After one liquid nitrogen and injection session, both are quite a bit improved and the smaller one nearly cured. However, in my experience these treatments have been quite painful and temporarily limit my usual activities (the first few days after treatment are painful enough to make walking unpleasant and yoga out of the question).
Wart experience of vj:
I had few planter warts under my right foot. I tried freezing it but it didn't work. I read they are temperature sensitive, that's why doctors try to burn them and freeze them. I decided to treat my planter wart. I soaked my feet in warm water for 3-4 weeks daily. The temperature of water should be warm (don't burn or harm yourself). The entire wart turned black and then I used pumice stone to slowly scrape them daily. I changed my diet to very healthy foods including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables for strong immunity as a healthy immune system also kills the wart virus. All the warts on my foot are gone. No marks, no pain.
Wart experience of leneysr:
I have had the wart on my upper arm frozen off by a doctor twice--this last time the frozen part did not drop off and it has gotten larger by about five times. Going to try the duct tape method.
Is using over-the-counter wart treatments safe?
You can't damage yourself with these OTC treatments. If you
get salicylic acid on normal skin, it can cause burning or redness but rarely
infection or scarring. All you have to do is stop using it on irritated areas
and the skin returns to normal. Still, it's probably better not to use
salicylic acid on sensitive areas like the face or groin, where it's likely to
make nearby skin raw and uncomfortable.
It generally is recommended that salicylic acid not be used
in people with diabetes or in areas where there is poor circulation (because of
concern about how normally the skin can heal; however, in practice, salicylic
acid is withheld only when there are clear signs of ongoing inflammation of the
skin).
Likewise, nonprescription freezing products are also reasonably
safe but must be used carefully and only according to package instructions
because they work by destroying living tissue.
Are wart treatments effective?
Above all, wart treatments require patience. Since there are
so many different types of treatments, how effective they are is another
matter. Warts can appear and disappear without an identifiable cause and often
disappear on their own without treatment. Some warts sprout daughter warts near
the main wart and others don't. Warts are generally painless unless they are
present in areas prone to pressure or friction like the palms and soles.
Certain warts, even of the same type, respond to treatment, while others (even
on the same person at the same time) don't. All treatment methods often require
many sessions over weeks, months, or longer.
Here is a practical approach to the treatment of warts:
a. If you can ignore your warts, do so. Eventually, they'll go away (although eventually can mean a long time -- even months or years).
b. If you have an uncomplicated case (a single wart on the face or one or a few on the hands), see a doctor for a quick freeze or electrical destruction. These methods are simple, although somewhat painful, and generally nonscarring.
c. If you have a difficult case, you can start by treating the warts for a few weeks on your own. Here are some examples:
Plantar warts:
Warts on the bottom of the foot feel deep,
but they are still within the superficial layer of the skin. Tender plantar
warts can be rendered painless by paring the wart thinner without causing
bleeding. Salicylic-acid drops and plasters help remove the thick overlying
callus and make the wart feel less like a marble in your shoe. Nonprescription
aerosol freezing may be used as well.
Common hand warts:
These are typically unattractive although
not painful. Salicylic acid can make them smaller and go away, in some cases,
as can nonprescription freezing.
If you have an all-but-impossible case, don't try too hard.
You don't want to make the treatment worse than the disease. Here are some
examples:
Warts under and around the nails:
These are extremely
resistant to treatment. One or two tries by the doctor are worth a shot, but if
they fail, putting acid on them yourself just makes them look rough and
unattractive.
"Mosaic" warts:
Tiny, so-called "seed
warts" can proliferate by the dozens or hundreds all over the sole of the
foot. They don't usually hurt, and they rarely respond to any sort of
treatment, although in this case, too, one or two tries at treatment may be in
order.
Flat warts:
These are small, flat, flesh-colored pimples and
may be numerous on one part of the body (for example on the face, arms, or
groin). Getting rid of them by a light application of salicylic acid or other
method is easy enough, but they have a tendency to recur.
Reference:
http://www.medicinenet.com/
How to get rid of warts and plantar warts?
The main way to prevent warts is to avoid contact with the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes warts. If you are exposed to this virus, you may or may not get warts, depending on how susceptible you are to the virus.
Tips on avoiding the human papillomavirus:
Tips on preventing warts from spreading:
Tips on avoiding the human papillomavirus:
- Avoid touching warts on yourself or others.
- Don't share razors, towels, socks, or shoes with another person. Someone with no visible warts can still be carrying the virus.
- Avoid walking barefoot on warm, moist surfaces where the wart virus may be alive. Wear shower shoes when using public showers, locker rooms, or pool areas.
- Keep your feet dry. If your feet sweat heavily, wear socks that absorb moisture or wick it away from the skin.
- Avoid irritating the soles of your feet. Warts grow more easily if your skin has been injured or broken in some way.
Tips on preventing warts from spreading:
- Keep warts covered with a bandage or athletic tape.
- Don't bite your nails or cuticles, as this may spread warts from one finger to another.
Reference:
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/warts-and-plantar-warts-prevention
What are the best wart removal techniques?
A wart is an abnormal growth of skin, caused by the action of a particular strain of Human papillomavirus. These viruses transmit from an infected person to the other through direct physical contact and this disorder usually affects an individual with low immunity. This skin disorder may appear anywhere in the body but mainly seen in hands, feet, face, neck and genital region. The most frequently seen warts include,
Common
Flat
Plantar verrucae
Genital
Periungual and subungual
Warts are usually painless and less harmful. However, genital, periungual, and subungual warts are very dangerous and difficult to treat. There are many modern treatment techniques to treat this condition. Let us go through some of the best wart removal techniques.
Treatment of common wart
Common warts are the most widespread type of wart seen in many individuals. It usually appears in hands and feet. It is very easy to cure this type of growth as almost all methods of wart treatments like salicylic acid treatment, immunotherapy, laser therapy, electrocautery, podophyllin treatment, imiquimod treatment and veregen treatment are effective in curing this skin condition completely within a few months. If we delay the treatment, a common wart may spread to other parts of the body especially into face.
Treatment of flat warts
Flat warts mainly affect children and teenagers. This type of growth appear in brownish red colored clusters in the face and neck of the affected individual. Flat warts are smooth and spread easily to other parts of the body especially to hands and fingers. Flat warts can treat effectively using the methods like cryotherapy and imiquimod application. Cryotherapy is the method of freezing the growth to prevent further development of the warts, where imiquimod application shrinks them and make surrounding tissues to fight against the warts by improving the immune response. Using medicated tapes and other topical agents like veregen are effective.
Treatment of plantar verrucae
Plantar verrucae are the warts that appear in the pressure points of the feet, especially in the sole and side of the toes. The plantar verrucae are medium sized 'rough' warts that may cause pain while walking. These warts are able to resist the treatment, so the treatment procedures must carry out carefully under medical supervision. It may take few months or even a year to get rid from plantar verrucae. Treatment procedures like laser therapy, cryotherapy, and Immunotherapy are the best wart removal techniques effective against plantar verrucae. The chemical substances like blistering agents also provides considerable cure to plantar verrucae. If the wart is more serious, a minor surgery may be required to remove this skin condition.
Treatment of Genital warts
Genital warts are the most infectious type of warts. They appear mainly on the penis, vagina, anus, thighs, and pubic region and in serious conditions, warts may present inside anal and vaginal canal. Unlike other warts, Genital wart is a sexually transmitted disease. These warts spread from an infected individual to others through sexual intercourse or close physical contacts. The effective method to cure genital wart is the application of topical agents. These substances are able to burn off the wart from the base. Many medicines and chemical substances are available to treat genital wart. Some are:
Trichloroacetic acid
Dichloroacetic acid
Podophyllin
Imiquimod
Sinecatechins
Salicylic acid etc
These substances cure warts by producing immunological responses to the surrounding tissues or by burning it off. The treatment must continue for some more days even after the disappearance of warts as it helps to prevent the recurrence of the disease.
Treatment for periungual and subungual warts
Periungual and subungual warts are tough to treat. They appear on the nails of fingers and toes. They increase in their size very fast. In some cases, this type of warts may collapse the entire nail. Periungual and subungual warts spreads easily from one person to another through direct contact. Salicylic acid is less effective if they are big. Methods like laser treatment and cryotherapy are effective and eliminate this disorder in a short period.
The advancement of technology helped to develop a number of best wart removal techniques to cure even the most serious warts without side effects. However always check the chemical compounds for hypersensitivity reactions before applying the medications. Accidental application of some medications on the skin may cause serious side effects.
Reference:
http://EzineArticles.com/7333010
Common
Flat
Plantar verrucae
Genital
Periungual and subungual
Warts are usually painless and less harmful. However, genital, periungual, and subungual warts are very dangerous and difficult to treat. There are many modern treatment techniques to treat this condition. Let us go through some of the best wart removal techniques.
Treatment of common wart
Common warts are the most widespread type of wart seen in many individuals. It usually appears in hands and feet. It is very easy to cure this type of growth as almost all methods of wart treatments like salicylic acid treatment, immunotherapy, laser therapy, electrocautery, podophyllin treatment, imiquimod treatment and veregen treatment are effective in curing this skin condition completely within a few months. If we delay the treatment, a common wart may spread to other parts of the body especially into face.
Treatment of flat warts
Flat warts mainly affect children and teenagers. This type of growth appear in brownish red colored clusters in the face and neck of the affected individual. Flat warts are smooth and spread easily to other parts of the body especially to hands and fingers. Flat warts can treat effectively using the methods like cryotherapy and imiquimod application. Cryotherapy is the method of freezing the growth to prevent further development of the warts, where imiquimod application shrinks them and make surrounding tissues to fight against the warts by improving the immune response. Using medicated tapes and other topical agents like veregen are effective.
Treatment of plantar verrucae
Plantar verrucae are the warts that appear in the pressure points of the feet, especially in the sole and side of the toes. The plantar verrucae are medium sized 'rough' warts that may cause pain while walking. These warts are able to resist the treatment, so the treatment procedures must carry out carefully under medical supervision. It may take few months or even a year to get rid from plantar verrucae. Treatment procedures like laser therapy, cryotherapy, and Immunotherapy are the best wart removal techniques effective against plantar verrucae. The chemical substances like blistering agents also provides considerable cure to plantar verrucae. If the wart is more serious, a minor surgery may be required to remove this skin condition.
Treatment of Genital warts
Genital warts are the most infectious type of warts. They appear mainly on the penis, vagina, anus, thighs, and pubic region and in serious conditions, warts may present inside anal and vaginal canal. Unlike other warts, Genital wart is a sexually transmitted disease. These warts spread from an infected individual to others through sexual intercourse or close physical contacts. The effective method to cure genital wart is the application of topical agents. These substances are able to burn off the wart from the base. Many medicines and chemical substances are available to treat genital wart. Some are:
Trichloroacetic acid
Dichloroacetic acid
Podophyllin
Imiquimod
Sinecatechins
Salicylic acid etc
These substances cure warts by producing immunological responses to the surrounding tissues or by burning it off. The treatment must continue for some more days even after the disappearance of warts as it helps to prevent the recurrence of the disease.
Treatment for periungual and subungual warts
Periungual and subungual warts are tough to treat. They appear on the nails of fingers and toes. They increase in their size very fast. In some cases, this type of warts may collapse the entire nail. Periungual and subungual warts spreads easily from one person to another through direct contact. Salicylic acid is less effective if they are big. Methods like laser treatment and cryotherapy are effective and eliminate this disorder in a short period.
The advancement of technology helped to develop a number of best wart removal techniques to cure even the most serious warts without side effects. However always check the chemical compounds for hypersensitivity reactions before applying the medications. Accidental application of some medications on the skin may cause serious side effects.
Reference:
http://EzineArticles.com/7333010
What are the different types of warts?
Who wants to get warts? I guess nobody does. These skin lesions are unsightly and can cause a lot of embarrassment. Did you know that there are different types of warts?
Here are the different wart types and their descriptions.
1. Mosaic wart - this type of wart is found mostly on the feet and hands. The warts usually appear in clusters, thus the term mosaic.
2. Flat wart - flesh colored, slat, and small warts. You can find flat warts on the face, neck, knees, wrists, and hands. Despite their small size, this type of wart is quite visible because they appear in great numbers.
3. Common wart - as the word suggests, these are the ordinary types of wart and it usually appear on the hands and knees. These are unsightly skin lesions because they appear raised and rough.
4. Filiform wart - warts that appear around the lips and eyes are called filiform warts. Since the warts are found on the facial area, many individuals with this type of wart want to remove the lesions as soon as possible.
5. Donkey wart - donkey warts are more commonly called genital warts. Some people also call it venereal warts.
6. Plantar wart - among all the type of warts, plantar warts are quite painful. These are warts are found on the soles of the feet.
There are various ways to remove warts like using wart medications, topical solutions, laser removal, and surgical removal methods. Oftentimes, the cost is the main factor in choosing which removal method to be employed by people who want to remove their unwanted warts.
It helps to know more about the different types of warts. That way, you know what you're dealing with. If you want a less expensive solution to remove the warts, you can make use of the natural herbs or you may decide to cut off the warts. The latter is a bit risky because it might cause infection and bleeding. When using herbs, you can't expect immediate results. It might take a couple of weeks and months before you can remove the unwanted skin lesions.
The plantar warts are painful and if you have them, you need to cure the warts as soon as possible because it can affect your day to day living. You can consult a doctor so that you can be given a prescription medication or you may ask if you can also use herbal medicines.
By knowing the different type of warts, you can easily identify what type you have. Oftentimes, warts are distinguished by their location. Aside from warts, other skin lesions like moles and skin tags are also considered unsightly and so many people who have them want them removed, no matter what it costs.
By consulting a doctor, you can get the appropriate medical advice and attention. Together with the doctor, you can choose the best treatment option that will work best for you and your budget.
You can also gather additional information about the different types of warts from the online resources. Study the types of warts so that just in case you develop one of them, you will know what to do. The treatment options available for removing warts depend on the type of wart. By simply identifying the wart type, it will be much easier to choose the right treatment option. Determine the right kind of treatment for the warts you have and in a couple of weeks, you will see immediate results.
Reference:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlene_Nuble
Here are the different wart types and their descriptions.
1. Mosaic wart - this type of wart is found mostly on the feet and hands. The warts usually appear in clusters, thus the term mosaic.
2. Flat wart - flesh colored, slat, and small warts. You can find flat warts on the face, neck, knees, wrists, and hands. Despite their small size, this type of wart is quite visible because they appear in great numbers.
3. Common wart - as the word suggests, these are the ordinary types of wart and it usually appear on the hands and knees. These are unsightly skin lesions because they appear raised and rough.
4. Filiform wart - warts that appear around the lips and eyes are called filiform warts. Since the warts are found on the facial area, many individuals with this type of wart want to remove the lesions as soon as possible.
5. Donkey wart - donkey warts are more commonly called genital warts. Some people also call it venereal warts.
6. Plantar wart - among all the type of warts, plantar warts are quite painful. These are warts are found on the soles of the feet.
There are various ways to remove warts like using wart medications, topical solutions, laser removal, and surgical removal methods. Oftentimes, the cost is the main factor in choosing which removal method to be employed by people who want to remove their unwanted warts.
It helps to know more about the different types of warts. That way, you know what you're dealing with. If you want a less expensive solution to remove the warts, you can make use of the natural herbs or you may decide to cut off the warts. The latter is a bit risky because it might cause infection and bleeding. When using herbs, you can't expect immediate results. It might take a couple of weeks and months before you can remove the unwanted skin lesions.
The plantar warts are painful and if you have them, you need to cure the warts as soon as possible because it can affect your day to day living. You can consult a doctor so that you can be given a prescription medication or you may ask if you can also use herbal medicines.
By knowing the different type of warts, you can easily identify what type you have. Oftentimes, warts are distinguished by their location. Aside from warts, other skin lesions like moles and skin tags are also considered unsightly and so many people who have them want them removed, no matter what it costs.
By consulting a doctor, you can get the appropriate medical advice and attention. Together with the doctor, you can choose the best treatment option that will work best for you and your budget.
You can also gather additional information about the different types of warts from the online resources. Study the types of warts so that just in case you develop one of them, you will know what to do. The treatment options available for removing warts depend on the type of wart. By simply identifying the wart type, it will be much easier to choose the right treatment option. Determine the right kind of treatment for the warts you have and in a couple of weeks, you will see immediate results.
Reference:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlene_Nuble
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