Understanding Warts: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
05 May, 2025
Warts are benign or non-cancerous growths of skin cells- visible as bumps on the skin or in your mouth. They are normally caused by a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) – of which there are hundreds of different strains. This means different parts of your body can get affected. Mostly, they are just annoying to look at and painless, but they may be painful in other cases. Warts are of different types and they are generally classified based on which parts of the body get affected. So, they can be mosaic warts, plantar warts, common warts, flat or filiform warts, genital warts, butcher’s warts and Heck’s Disease, among others.
How To Get Rid Of Warts Naturally At Home-
Natural remedies are typically those which can get rid of the HPV or reduce its potency. This means, you may use acidic substances or other related products. Some common examples include the use of apple cider vinegar, banana peel, using acidic fruits like oranges, pineapples, aloe vera, crushed aspirin which contains salicylic acid, using duct tape, tea tree oil etc. are also recommended at times, though there is no hard core scientific evidence that any of these work or how they even work in most cases.
Difference Between Warts And Skin Tags-
Warts are mainly growths caused by viral infections while skin tags are benign too, but caused due to friction due to clothing or other such factors and are skin coloured and hang off it, like a tag. Warts can be black in colour, though other colours may also be seen and they are contagious. Skin tags are NOT contagious because there is no pathogen involved and are normally found in skin folds.
Plantar Warts vs. Common Warts Symptoms-
Plantar warts are those which occur in the soles of the feet in the plantar region. They look like black or dark patches of raised skin and may have a callus-like texture too. They look black because of clotted blood. The pressure on the warts while walking may cause pain, leading to change in posture, leg pain or back pain in the long run.
Common warts on the other hand occur in other parts of the body like the hands, neck, fingers, back, torso etc. They are not painful and will look black or dark coloured raised skin growths on the surface. They may be itchy at times but that’s about it, until they get infected with another infection- in which case, they can become painful.
Preventing Wart Recurrence After Removal-
Treatment methods vary – it can be surgical removal for warts, or it can be cryotherapy too. You should keep all your clothing and personal hygiene items separate, wash your hands and remain clean otherwise. You should use footwear when you go to areas like gyms, locker rooms, public washrooms etc. If the doctor has asked you to continue applying a topical cream, then do so. Finally, keep a close watch on your skin and see if new warts develop. When that happens, go in for prompt treatment. Warts mostly reoccur because the virus is still in your system.
Conclusion
Since warts are caused by a virus, it is imperative that you get vaccinated for HPV. The virus is transmissible via bodily fluids, so practice safe sex and use condoms always, as a preventive measure. General cleanliness is very important, as is keeping stuff separate from others- if you have warts. This is especially true for all clothing, personal hygiene items like soaps, loofahs, shaving razors, nail clippers etc. Socks need to be stored separately, if you notice plantar warts. It also makes sense to keep any cuts or bruises closed, so that HPV does not get a chance to enter your body via wounds. The HPV virus can remain in your system for years and not cause symptoms too, so it is important to be vigilant always.
