Warts
Definition:
Warts are small, benign growths caused by a viral infection of the skin or mucous membrane. The virus infects the surface layer. The viruses that cause warts are members of the human papilloma virus (HPV) family. Warts are not cancerous but some strains of HPV, usually not associated with warts, have been linked with cancer formation. Warts are contagious from person to person and from one area of the body to another on the same person.
Signs & Symptoms:
warts usually occur on your fingers or hands and may be:
Small, fleshy, grainy bumps
Flesh-colored, white, pink or tan
Rough to the touch
Sprinkled with black pinpoints, which are small, clotted blood vessels
Cause:
warts are caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). More than 100 types of HPV exist, but only a few cause warts on your hands. Other types of HPV are more likely to cause warts on your feet and other areas of your skin and mucous membranes. Most types of HPV cause relatively harmless conditions such as common warts, while others may cause serious disease such as cancer of the cervix.
You can get warts from skin-to-skin contact with people who have warts. If you have warts, you can spread the virus to other places on your own body. You can also get the wart virus indirectly by touching something that another person’s wart touched, such as a towel or exercise equipment. The virus usually spreads through breaks in your skin, such as a hangnail or a scrape. Biting your nails also can cause warts to spread on your fingertips and around your nails.
Each person’s immune system responds to the HPV virus differently, so not everyone who comes in contact with HPV develops warts.
How To Cure:
- Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known for its anti-inflammatory properties that can be very effective in treating warts.
Extract the gel from an aloe vera leaf.
Apply the fresh aloe vera gel on your wart using a clean cotton ball. Then use a bandage or tape to hold the cotton ball over the wart.
Repeat the process twice daily for two weeks.
If you do not have an aloe vera plant at home, you can buy aloe vera gel at the drug store and rub it on the wart several times a day.
- Hot Water Soak
Soaking warts in slightly hot water will soften them and help them to heal quickly. A hot water soak will also help fight the virus and prevent infection. Plain hot water is fine, but some white vinegar or Epsom salt can also be added to make the treatment more effective.
Before following this remedy, slough the affected skin area with an emery board or pumice stone for best results. Also, make sure the water is not too hot to prevent burning your skin.
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C is highly acidic in nature and hence can help wear the wart away and also fight the virus itself.
Crush two to three vitamin C tablets in a bowl.
Add a little water and mix it to form a fine paste.
Rub the paste on your warts and cover the area with a bandage. Initially it will cause some burning sensation, but it will quickly go away.
