Clearing Up The Wart Myths

Warts in reality are nothing more than benign tumorsthemselves, but no two will cure themselves in the
of the skin that come about from a viral infection.same timeframe. Most will take only weeks or
The virus which is responsible is the humanmonths, but it is not uncommon to find those that
papillomavirus (HPV), a DNA virus that is doubletake years. The immune system of the person
stranded, much like the DNA itself. The virus locatesdetermines how susceptible they are to the
itself in the bottom layer of the skin and clones intotransmission of the warts. Those with diseases such
fairly normal-looking skin. There are multiple types ofas AIDS that directly reduce your immune system will
HPV that each cause different types of warts. Somesee the warts last longer periods of time than those
HPV subtypes also have the potential to causewho have healthy immune systems.
cervical cancer, and also other more vague types ofMost warts can be cured through the use of over
wart-related cancers, of which none are thatthe counter medications. If you are someone that is
common.resistant to these medications, there are other
Contrary to popular belief, warts have no rootsoptions for you. Salicylic acid is one common
growing inside your hand. They only createtreatment, and is also very effective, but it
themselves in the epidermis, which is the top layer ofnecessitates consistent treatments each day. Salicylic
skin. When they grow in a downward direction, theyacid can be used in many forms that include a thick
dislodge the layer of skin that is below the epidermis,oil base, or incorporated into a plaster material form.
the dermis. The warts will never reach the dermisCryotherapy is also a productive treatment. This
and never will grow into the dermis either. Thesimply is where the warts will be frozen on the hand
underside of a wart is actually made up of smoothusing a form of liquid nitrogen. Once frozen, the wart
strands.can then be easily removed from the skin with no
Warts have the ability to occur in people of all ages,effects. If the warts are on your feet, you should
but mostly in children and young adults. They arenot use the cryotherapy method because there is
spread through direct contact, simply through thethe chance that a blister could develop and become
touching of another wart. They will normally curepainful.