Understand what warts are and how to treat them

They usually cause some discomfort, although they are not painful, and are generally “harmless”. Warts are small skin growths caused by viruses. They are papular lesions (the term papule means a raised area of ​​skin), have rough surfaces and are highly contagious. They are usually larger and more textured than moles.

Cristiane Braga L. Kanashiro, dermatologist at Clínica Due, specialist in Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Aesthetic Medicine and Hair, explains that warts can appear anywhere on the human body. They can also appear in groups or singly, and can easily spread from one area of ​​the body to another.

It is worth noting that warts often disappear without specific treatment, but in certain cases, treatments may be necessary to accelerate this process.

Why do warts appear?

Cristiane explains that there are many reasons that cause warts. “Usually they arise from the contamination of the HPV virus (Human Papilloma Virus) in lesions and cuts in the skin”, he says.

Warts are also common on areas of the body where people shave, such as on the face for men who shave, and on the legs for women who shave them.

It is possible to transmit warts to other people, mainly through touch, in a process called self-inoculation – common in shared bathrooms in gyms, swimming pools, clubs, etc. Transmission can also occur during unprotected sex.

Anyone is subject to having warts eventually, but it is worth mentioning that some factors can “facilitate” their emergence, such as:

• Children or pre-teens who tend to suffer more skin lesions (when playing) than adults;
• People who bite their fingernails frequently;
• People who have a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV or autoimmune diseases.

Different types of warts

Dermatologist Cristiane explains that there are different types of warts:

Plantar warts: appear on the sole of the foot and have internal growth. Most are painful when stepping.

Genital wart: found in the genital region. They are soft and moist and are usually whitish in color.

Periungual warts: appear around the nails.

Filiform wart: appear on the face and neck. Common in older people, they look like finger projections.

Vulgar wart: they have the same color as the skin and are palpable.

How to treat warts?

It is possible to remove and medically treat warts with qualified dermatologists to do this safely. Cristiane talks about the options currently available:

Salicylic Acid + Lactic Acid: Applying every day, the skin flakes off until it heals.

Fuming nitric acid: biweekly applications are made in the doctor’s office.

Cryotherapy: freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen.

Electrosurgery: Burns the wart.

Are there home treatments for warts?

Some people believe they can use “home methods” to get a wart out of their skin. However, dermatologist Cristiane points out that they are not indicated. “The best thing is to always look for the professional, because, as it is highly contagious, the person can end up self-contaminating and spreading the wart to other parts of the body”, she highlights.

In this sense, it is worth highlighting some care with the wart to avoid an infection at the site:

• You must not manipulate the injury;
• You should not try to remove it without medical advice;
• Never use pliers or other instruments to cut it.

The Brazilian Society of Dermatology has also taken a stand against homemade methods (popularly known and spread especially on the internet) to eliminate warts, declaring that they bring risks ranging from irritation to the aggravation of a case of skin cancer. That’s because some people can confuse moles with warts, but their treatment is quite different: warts are benign lesions and moles can indicate the presence of skin cancer. Applying “homemade” products on a mole that has already become a tumor, the skin will be attacked and the cancer may worsen.

How to prevent warts?

According to Cristiane, it is possible to prevent the appearance of warts by taking good care of the open lesions, always cleaning them. It is also necessary to avoid contact with the wart of other infected people.

Do warts pose health risks?

Cristiane points out that the wart does not pose any serious health risk, except for contaminating other body areas.

Although they are generally “harmless”, warts tend to be quite annoying, even more so when they are located on parts of the body where there is pressure, such as on the soles of the feet… They can hurt and eventually itch. The treatment is indicated to prevent the bearer of the wart from infecting other people and also so that he can feel better.