How to Get Rid of Warts
Warts are little skin growth that are not fatal but unattractive. They are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus which is easily spread by coming into contact with those already infected. Even if you come in contact with someone who has the virus, you still many not get infected. Your chances of infection rely on the health of your skin. If the infected person you touch has broken skin, your odds of getting warts are greater.
Kinds of Warts
You can develop several types of warts but the most common are genital, plantar, and flat.
- Flat warts are the kind that form on your face and legs
- Plantar warts commonly occur on the feet
- Genital warts form in the genital area
- Periungual warts develop under the fingernails and toenails
Getting Rid of Warts
- Medical Procedures
Laser treatment is a surgical option but it can be expensive and leave scars. This technique is not used unless the wart does not react to other treatments. The laser technique applies a strong light beam beam to remove the growth. General anesthesia may be needed relying on the number of warts that need removing. There’s various options when you want to know how to get rid of warts on hands.
Minor surgery uses a method known as electrodessication and cuterage that cuts off the tissue using an electric needle. The disadvantage of this procedure is the anesthetic administered prior to the surgery may be painful and it can leave a scar.
Freezing uses a liquid nitrogen to dissolve the wart. This method can be painful and it isn’t a lasting solution. It works by causing a blister to develop below the wart. The dead skin should peel off in a couple of weeks.
- Home Remedies
More and more people are turning to natural methods of wart removal. A popular natural treatment for warts is aloe vera gel. It acts as an antiseptic. Aloe vera gel from the aloe plant is best but it comes in many other forms like lotions. Dip a cotton ball in the gel and massage on the growths. Hold the cotton ball in place a couple of minutes and secure with tape. You will need to reapply the gel every few hours.
Try wearing duct tape. Duct tape is alleged to have a success rate of 85% and it is proven to be effective by scientific research. Let the duct tape stay on the warts for about a week. Remove any tape that is loose. Take the tape off and moisten the are so it will get tender. Scrub the warts using a pumice stone. Keep repeating this method until you get the desired results.
Another successful home cure for warts is castor oil. Massage it on the infected area using your fingers. Apply two times a day and cover the area with a bandage. This should give you results in less then four weeks.
Bananas are another effective way to remove warts. Slice a piece of banana slightly larger than the size of the wart. Place the white portion of the peeling on the wart and secure it with tape or a Band-aid. Change the dressing every day until the growth disappears. You can also rub a slice of banana on the warts.
- Over-the Counter Medicine
You can try one of the many over-the-counter wart removers available at grocery stores, drug stores, and health shops. Medicated pads and freeze-off removers are the most popular kinds. Medicated pads will cost less than the freeze-off products. A box of medicated pads can be bought for three to five dollars. The pads do not give results right away like the freeze-off removers. Though commercial wart removers, operate on the same principle, all products differ. Do some research and read reviews. Many sites let their customers rate products.
Home cures to remove warts are suggested before surgery or medication. These are among the most popular how to get rid of warts plans of actions people take. They are not invasive and do not come with all the side-effects or the high cost. Keep in mind you may not get the same results as another person. It may take some experimentation to find what natural cure is best for you. Perhaps the best remedy is to leave them alone. Warts commonly fall off by themselves with no treatment after a few weeks. Your doctor is the best source of information if you have any questions.