What is Skin Wart?

Warts are small, noncancerous growths on skin caused by one of the many viruses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. The virus triggers extra cell growth, which makes the outer layer of skin thick and hard in that spot. While they can grow anywhere you have skin, you're more likely to get one on your hands or feet and also on face & genitalia.
    Because each person's immune system responds differently to the virus, not everyone who comes in contact with HPV will get a wart. But people with chronic skin conditions like eczema, or who bite their nails or who has cuts on foot or hands are prone to getting warts.

Why it is important to treat warts?

Though most warts are harmless and your body will often build up a resistance and fight warts off. But it may take months or as many as 2 years for them to disappear. In adults, warts often stick around even longer, perhaps several years or more. A wart might get bigger, new warts may appear, or you could give them to someone else. And that’s why it is important to consult expert for wart problem.
    The best treatment depends The best treatment depends on your age and health and the type of wart. But some of the virus may stay in your skin after the wart has gone and may reappear later in few cases.

What are the treatment options for wart treatment?

• Supportive care - Many a times your own body take care of warts. Dermatologist after clinical evaluation may just prescribe you supportive therapy in the form of multivitamins specific to boost your immunity which will act against the warts.
• Keratolytics /skin exfoliators - Over-the-counter gels, liquids, and pads with salicylic acid, Glycolic acid creams, Tretinoins work by peeling away the dead skin cells of the wart to gradually dissolve it. Patient needs to do it at home under the guidance of treating Dermatologist. Be patient, it can take several months to see result.
• Cryosurgery/ freezing the wart - This treatment involves freezing the wart off with liquid nitrogen. It may need more than one
• RF ablation/ Cauterisation & Laser ablation of wart - Skin doctor may use one or both of these methods after they numb the area. Electrosurgery burns the wart with an electric charge through the tip of a needle. It's good for common warts, filiform warts, and foot warts. Your doctor could also use a laser to burn wart tissue.
• Immunotherapy - Dermatologist may advise you a course of some viral vaccines to boost immunity against viral wart. Diphencyprone (DCP) and imiquimod irritate your skin to encourage your immune system.

Many a times depending on age, medical comorbidities present and type of wart; Skin specialist may advise you combination of these treatments for best possible result.

There's no way yet to prevent warts, but you can lower your chances of getting or spreading

• Don't touch, pick, or scratch your warts, or touch someone else's.
• Wash your hands after treating warts.
• Keep foot warts dry.
• Wear waterproof sandals or flip-flops in public showers, locker rooms, and around public pools.