Warts

Warts can affect all individuals, but seem to be most prevalent in children and teens. A wart is caused by a virus that infects the skin. The body’s immune system does little to fight off the wart because the wart is mostly within the outer layer of skin which is a “dead” layer. The wart tries to spread and grow. Often multiple smaller warts form around the original wart. Warts are contagious and can easily spread, especially in locker rooms, showers, swimming pool areas, and health clubs. Walking barefoot in such areas is usually the cause of the wart. Treatment consists of either destruction of the wart externally (such as freezing, application of acid by the doctor, or surgery) or use of medicines to cause the immune system to fight off the wart internally. In any case, the patient must be persistent and patient with the treatment as warts often take some time and effort to get rid of them.