What Should I Do if I Have a Wart?
There are many treatments available to get
rid of your wart(s). some of these
treatments can be used at home, but others
must be applied by your doctor. Treatments
suitable for home use are usually painless,
but you have to follow the directions
carefully for them to work. Treatments done
by your doctor might hurt, but they usually
get rid of your wart(s) quickly.
Are All Warts the Same?
Warts are caused by
human papilloma viruses but not all warts
are the same. Most warts appear on your
hands, feet, face or genitals but they do
not look alike. Plantar warts (on the soles
of the feet) are hard from walking, while
warts on genitals are large and may hand
loosely.
How Did I Get Warts?
Warts come from
exposure to the virus when your skin is cut.
Not everyone gets warts because some people
may be immune to the viruses.
What Treatments Are Available?
Liquid nitrogen, like
cautery or surgery, is a physical method of
destroying the wart. Liquid nitrogen freezes
and destroys the wart by means of low
temperatures. After liquid nitrogen has been
applied you will notice a blister form in a
day or two. Nothing specific need be done
until the blister breaks. Once the blister
has broken the area should be kept clean and
dry until it is well healed. This should
take approximately 10 to 14 days. Hopefully,
when the area heals it will be without any
pre-existing wart tissue.
Liquid nitrogen is
not a guaranteed method of clearing warts.
Sometimes not enough liquid nitrogen has
been used. Other times, the wart can recur
in the same area. Liquid nitrogen is a
relatively painless way of dealing with
warts. It tends to produce the least
scarring and is generally considered one of
the most effective ways of dealing with
warts.
For plantar warts,
Duoplant or another topical preparation for
warts can be used. Liquid nitrogen can
sometimes leave scars on the bottom of the
foot which can lead to permanent problems.
How Can I Prevent Getting Warts?
Because the viruses
that cause warts are all around us, there is
no way to avoid contact. But you can reduce
your chances of getting warts by wearing
thongs at public showers, at swimming pools,
not biting yours nails and wearing condoms
(to prevent the spread of genital warts).
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