Wart Removal: How to Get Rid of Warts

Warts are a viral infection and they appear as a small rough lesion on the feet and hands. However, it can affect any other part of the body including the genital areas. The virus responsible for causing warts is known as the human papillomavirus(HPV). There are almost 100 strains of HPV, which can cause several types of warts, such as common warts, flat warts, filiform warts, plantar warts, mosaic warts and genital warts. The specific strain that causes wart on hands and feet is different from the one that causes genital warts.

Some strains of HPV are also associated with cervical, oral, laryngeal, vaginal, penile and anal cancer. Generally, warts on hand and feet are caused by the type 1 of human papilloma virus, while type 6 and 11 are more commonly associated with genital warts. Warts is a highly contagious disease and can easily spread from a infectious person to a healthy individual. Therefore, prompt treatment of the disease is very important to check its spread. Let's have a look at how to get rid of warts.

How to Get Rid of Warts

Removing warts permanently can be quite time consuming, as many of the treatment options for wart removal can provide only a temporary solution to this problem. On the other hand, some other treatments need several sessions to completely remove warts from your skin. Therefore, one needs a lot of patience to get rid of warts on a permanent basis. The medical treatment for warts includes medications, laser treatment, electrodessication, cryosurgery and surgical curettage. The ointments and acids available for topical application include salicylic acid, podophyllum resin, imiquimod, podofilox, trichloroacetic acid, etc.

Salicylic acid is commonly used for wart removal and its daily application, for at least four weeks, can provide sufficient relief from warts. However, as it is an acid, it is important to take appropriate precautions while applying it, so that it does not come in contact with the surrounding healthy skin. Application of topical creams and ointments can also be effective in containing the disease, however, some side effects are associated with them. For example, imiquimod, used mainly for stimulating the immune system, can cause skin irritation, while trichoro acetic acid causes pain and a burning sensation.

Cryosurgery is another treatment option for wart removal, where liquid nitrogen is applied on the affected areas to destroy the virus by freezing it. On the other hand, laser treatment involves the use of laser beams for destroying warts. Electrodessication is another technique, where an electrical current is used for wart treatment, while surgical curettage involves the use of the instrument 'curette' to scrape the tissues and remove warts.

How to Remove Warts Naturally

If you're wondering how to cure warts naturally, then the answer lies in application of herbs that have anti-viral and immune system enhancing properties, to accelerate the healing process. Tea tree oil and aloe vera are quite effective in curing warts and other skin problems. You can also apply a slice of lemon soaked in apple cider vinegar on the affected areas. It has been found that application of raw potatoes can also provide relief from warts. Garlic is known for its anti-viral properties and applying a paste of garlic on the warts can help destroy the virus. For best results, apply vitamin E on the area before using garlic. Echinacea is another natural remedy for warts that can strengthen the immune system to fight against any kind of viral infectious disease.

One of the most popular and easy way to remove warts, especially from hands and feet, is the application of duct tape. Applying duct tape on the affected area can remove the virus by gradually taking out the layers of dead skin. But to get the desired results, keep the duct tape on the area for at least five to six days consecutively. Then remove the tape and clean the area properly and reapply duct tape on the area. Continue this process for about five to six weeks to completely remove warts.

So in addition to medical treatment, the application of duct tape and herbs can be beneficial in removing warts by accelerating the process of recovery. However, keep in mind that warts are highly contagious, and taking appropriate measures, so that they don't spread to other parts of your body or to your family members and friends, is very important.