Description of Warts

The description of warts can be as unpleasant as the actual wart, so photos won't be added. If you made it to this blog, than you already know what warts look like. However, it is important to note that as a virus, everyone is susceptible to having them. It is nice to know that getting rid of warts is not the chore it used to be. 

 Warts appear as raised, rough-textured, grayish growths that will vary in different sizes from a pinhead to large masses. Warts are viral infections that will usually appear on the skin, but they can also appear on the genitals or in the rectum, urethra, your bladder, or even on your mouth. When you see a wart start showing on your skin, the virus usually will enter through a cut, crack, or a scratch and incubates a few months before erupting into a wart.

Most of these warts will go away on their own without any treatment however, warts that will appear on the genitals, around your fingernails, or on the palms or soles of your feet are particularly long-lasting and can be difficult to treat. In the case of children, warts will usually last a few months to a year, in adults, they commonly will last months to even years. Many people may never completely get rid of the warts and can be bothered by many recurrences throughout life. The most common skin warts are the most prevalent type.

They may start to grow large and then generally erupt on your hands and fingers, though they may also show up anywhere on your skin. Warts that appear on the soles of your feet, that are called plantar warts, grow inward rather than outward. The common warts are mildly contagious and are often spread on the same person by picking, scratching, shaving, or biting your own nails. They also can be passed on to others through direct contact. Genital warts are often passed between sexual partners.

There are several over-the-counter methods to get rid of warts, so before you call your doctor, you might try your local pharmacy. If you choose to go in this direction, make sure that you follow the directions on whichever package the pharmacist recommends. The immune system also will fight wart viruses, so anything that you can do to stay healthy will help tremendously. In addition, the medicinal herb echinacea is an immune stimulant.

Studies have shown that when you take this orally, it will help fight the viral infections by stimulating the release of intereron, your body's own virus fighting chemical. Echinacea teas, pills, and tinctures which are most commonly known as alcohol preparations are available at health or food stores in your area.

When you do decide to call your doctor, physicians will treat your warts most likely by freezing, ("cryotherapy"), burning ("cauterization"), chemicals, and scalpel or laser surgery. All surgery methods will leave scarring, but the freezing method to get rid of your warts actually causes the least amount of scarring.