It’s mainly children and the elderly who’ll notice these small, round growths on the surface of the skin. But what causes warts and how do you get rid of them?
Harmless skin growths
Warts are benign skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can affect any part of the body, but are most frequently found on the hands and feet. You can catch the infection in a number of different places, for example in swimming baths, saunas and sports halls. “The virus penetrates the skin very easily through chafing and sweating,” says Dr Sylvia Holle-Robatsch, a specialist in dermatology and angiology.
The wart then proliferates in the skin and forms a hard, fleshy bump. It needs to be treated, doesn’t it?
What’s the best treatment for warts?
Most “normal” warts don’t actually need to be treated – only condyloma, or genital warts, need medical attention.
Warts often disappear on their own, although it can take some time – sometimes several months, even years. But let’s be honest, warts aren’t painful, they’re just unsightly. And that’s why most people want to get rid of them. There are various options, ranging from a medical procedure to cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is the use of very low temperature, the aim being to destroy the cells in the uppermost layer of skin. This can be quite painful and may even cause redness and swelling of the skin. Especially when the patient is a child this can mean that treating a wart can become a challenge for parents.
Wart removal products like our Warzin ointment are a quick and effective – above all pain free – way to get rid of warts. Applying the ointment using an applicator is child’s play, and saves you having to see a doctor. Whichever ointment you choose, it’s best to first apply a rich cream, such as Vaseline, to protect the healthy skin around the wart, as the ointment doesn’t distinguish between healthy and diseased skin. That’s why it’s essential to be very careful when applying the ointment.
