Skin is one of the sense organs and our body's largest organ covering our entire body. It requires thoughtful care to prevent the effects of dirt and pollution. Skin is also affected by microorganisms like bacteria, fungi & viruses. Wart is a common skin issue. It is nothing but fleshy or lumpy outgrowths observed on the skin.

What Are Warts? 

Warts are the common outgrowths observed on skin surfaces. It is caused by a virus (human papillomavirus, or HPV) and can be spread from person to person by direct contact, including handshakes & hugs. It is said that warts are curable, but in extreme cases, they remain on the skin's surfaces over a long period.

Types of warts:

Warts, the outgrowths of the skin, are observed in different types depending on the carrying agents and the symptoms it shows. The types of warts include the following:

1.   Common warts: These types of warts are generally observed on the elbows, knees, between the fingers or sometimes on the face of the person too.

2. Filiform warts: Filiform warts can appear on eyelids, lips, neck, or face skin.

3.   Flat warts: These warts are found in the form of clusters on the back of the hands, on the legs

and on the face.

4. Genital warts: In some cases, these outgrowths can be seen around the genital parts.

5. Periungual warts:  The outgrowths appear as the thickened skin around the nails of the person.

6. Plantar and palmar warts: Warts found on the soles of the feet are called plantar warts. When the skin outgrowths are found on the palms of the hands, it is called palmar warts. These are the most common types of warts.

The Underlying Agent Of Warts:

These lumpy or fleshy outgrowths, called warts, are caused by one virus called human papillomavirus, which is shortly called HPV. Hundreds of strains of viruses cause different types of warts. This virus can spread the wart from one person to another through direct contact. 

Who Gets Affected? 

Not every skin or person is affected by warts, and it is not specific to any age, gender etc. It can affect human beings at any stage. But the high stages of getting affected with warts may include some of the reasons given below:      

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• When the person has a weak immune system to fight the carrying agent of warts, i.e. HPV.
• When the person has close or direct contact with the person already affected by warts.
• The risk of a person getting affected with warts depends on the type of warts. For example, people who bite their nails risk getting affected by periungual warts.

Symptoms of warts:

The symptoms of warts vary with the type of wart:

Common warts: These warts will be seen as rough surfaces. They appear in grayish yellow or brown coloured, found on fingers, elbows, knees and the face.

Filiform warts: These warts are small, long and narrow growths, along with finger-like projections. 

Flat warts: It is found as small and smooth outgrowths. Compared to other warts, these outgrowths are found in clusters.  

Genital warts: These warts are found to be severe and are observed around the genital parts. Sometimes, these warts can spread to other body parts, like the cervix.

Therefore, utmost care should be taken with such warts.

Periungual warts: These warts are found with the symptom of thickened skin around the nails. It causes serious pain in the place of splits found on the skin.

Diagnosis Of Warts: 

The person affected by the above symptoms can approach a dermatologist. First, the doctor will study and observe the skin and diagnose the wart symptoms. Then, he may follow a shave biopsy, observe how far the infection has affected the skin, and show symptoms like blood clots or black spots on the skin. In a shave biopsy, the doctor might need to shave some layers of warts and send that sample to the lab for further examination.

Treatment For Warts: 

The treatment for warts depends on the type of warts, the duration of warts present on the skin and the area affected. But the general steps to treat warts include some of the medications as follows:

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• Placing salicylic acid and some other medicines on warts helps to remove them from the skin.
• Warts can be frozen using liquid nitrogen for some time. Then, electrical currents at a safe voltage that can be applied to warts might help cure them.
• Laser surgery can also be useful for removing warts.
• Cutting out warts from the affected skin.
• Home remedies can also be followed.
• While treating warts, care should be taken so that it does not affect the infected person's metabolism. 
• Some treatments can cause pain or irritation. And in some cases, new warts may arise. Again, it varies from person to person.

Prevention For Warts:

• Maintaining personal hygiene is a good prevention of warts. 
• Avoid contact with persons who are affected by warts. 
• Wear slippers or shoes.
• Proper care of open wounds like cuts.
• If someone is infected with warts, other people should avoid close contact and share personal belongings such as towels and clothes. 

Conclusion:

Warts can be cured and prevented if we are good at personal hygiene and avoiding close contact, and skin can be maintained beautifully.

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