HOW TO TREAT WARTS
WHAT ARE WARTS?
Warts are small, firm, round bumps that typically develop on the hands, fingers, knees, toes, and feet. These growths are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and spread through contact with the wart, often via broken skin. Various types of warts exist, including common warts, flat warts, and plantar warts.
Common Warts: Common warts commonly appear on the hands, fingers, around the nails, and knees. They present as small, rough bumps on the skin’s surface.
Flat Warts: Flat warts emerge on the face, back of hands, and lower legs. These warts are skin-colored or light brown, exhibiting a smooth, flat, or slightly elevated appearance and may occur in clusters.
Plantar Warts: Plantar warts develop on the soles of the feet, particularly on pressure points like the heel or sole. They are typically flat, feature small black spots, and are covered with a tough top layer. Plantar warts can be painful when pressure is applied.
WHO CAN GET A WART?
Anyone can get a wart! An estimated one out of ten people has a wart. You can also be infected with the virus, through direct contact with a person or a contaminated surface, but not have any warts yourself. Swimming pools and locker rooms are places where it’s easy to spread the virus that leads to warts. You can get warts more than once in your life, as treating a wart doesn’t always make the virus go away.
Children and adolescents get warts most often. People with weakened immune systems are also at an increased risk of getting warts.
HOW TO PREVENT WARTS
Here are some recommendations to prevent the occurrence or spread of warts:
- Refrain from walking barefoot in public areas. Wear flip flops, especially in locker rooms, showers, and around swimming pools.
- Cover small skin cuts with an adhesive bandage.
- Wash your hands after coming into contact with a wart.
- Ensure the wart site remains dry.
- Apply a bandage to cover the wart.
- Avoid sharing towels, shoes, or clothing if you have warts.
WART TREATMENT
Many warts resolve on their own without treatment within 6 to 24 months. However, for those seeking relief from painful warts or aiming to prevent their spread, several over-the-counter (OTC) products are available at the pharmacy.
OTC medications
The most commonly recommended products for wart treatment contain salicylic acid. These medications are available in various forms, such as creams, gels, collodions (liquid bandages), discs, and adhesive bandages. If you are uncertain about the correct usage of a product, your pharmacist can provide guidance.
Caution! Individuals with an aspirin allergy, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or circulation problems should avoid salicylic acid.
Additional treatment options are also accessible. Cryotherapy, where a doctor uses liquid nitrogen to freeze off the wart, is one such method. Other treatments include bleomycin, formaldehyde, retinoids, immunotherapy, laser therapy, and cantharidin, among others.
DID YOU SAY “DUCT TAPE”?
Research has shown the effectiveness of duct tape in eliminating warts, although the precise mechanism is not fully understood. Typically, duct tape is applied for a maximum of two months. If you are interested in this method, consult with your pharmacist for guidance.
Seek medical advice if you observe no improvement after two weeks of treatment or if the wart persists after 12 weeks of treatment. Always inquire with your pharmacist about the most suitable treatment for your specific case. Your pharmacist may also be able to recommend a nearby foot care specialist with whom they collaborate to ensure comprehensive care for your needs.