Warts on Hands

When there is an abnormal growth of a skin on your hand, chances are it is a wart. It could come in a red, whitish, beige or brown colour. It could also appear alone, or in clusters like a cauliflower.

Most hand warts are rough to touch but some are smooth. They are generally painless but some could cause severe itching.

The human papilloma or HPV virus causes warts. While they are non-cancerous, the virus causes the growth of the cells on the outer layer of the skin and is infectious. So it is recommended that they be treated.

There are many kinds of treatment but the most favoured are the home remedy of wrapping a duct tape over and around it; and, the application of over-the-counter medication such as salicylic acid.

Warts on Hands

Symptoms of HPV

HPV is the human papilloma virus that causes common warts on any parts of the body or on the moist mucous membranes near the mouth, anus and genitals. It is generally considered harmless and almost undetected when they invade the skin surface in the form of a wart.

There is about 100 different types of HPV that occur in the hands, face, feet and the genital areas. The most common signs to tell them is the appearance of a small, round, angry-red patch on your skin.

The symptoms of an HPV virus are typically painless and depend on the body part. The most common that attack the hands are small, firm, could be itchy or not, may appear as a group forming like a cauliflower or alone, flat or raised and bearing in the color of red, white, beige or brown.

Symptoms of HPV

Getting Rid of Warts

Warts are infectious and it must be treated seriously at first sign.  The most common treatment, and considerably effective, are the do-it-yourself ones. This includes applying salicylic acid or any over-the-counter medication, and the cost-saving duct tape method.

If the wart still persists, a trip to the dermatologist is the next solution. Depending on the wart’s location, the doctor will suggest the least painful wart-destructive method first. Doctors may apply the chemical Cantharidin onto the wart, and you’ll feel some twinge after 8 hours or so. Your doctor may also do the cryotherapy treatment by applying liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart. These methods may require frequent visits to the doctor.

If your wart is stubborn and has not responded to prior treatments, the doctor may eliminate the warts by burning, cutting out the wart, or by using laser treatment.

And yet, the best way to avoid having warts is to prevent it from occurring by maintaining good personal hygiene.

Getting Rid of Warts

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the most painful and inconvenient type of wart. They grow on the heels of the feet, making it extremely difficult to walk around. People who have had plantar warts have undergone different methods of treatment so they can stop hobbling or limping.

It is highly encouraged to visit a podiatrist when you have plantar warts. Podiatrists are ready with various treatments, depending on one’s preference. Topping their recommendation is application of a mild acid for several weeks. If simple treatments don’t work, it can be followed by cryotherapy, laser treatments, or surgical removal.

All of the above methods cost money. It is not a problem if covered by a medical insurance. However, for those who don’t have coverage, the self-treatment is employed.

Although not recommended by most doctors, over-the-counter medication is the most used method. It is considered practical and affordable, with products from Dr. Scholls leading the pack.

Plantar Warts