5 Common Myths of Warts that People Think are True & How They Are Treated

What is a Warts?

Warts, medically known as condylomata acuminata or venereal warts are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus and are one of the most commonly occurring skin conditions. There are many types of warts including the common warts that occur on the limbs and are essentially skin growths, other types of warts commonly occur in the genital area. Most types of warts aren’t cancerous. Warts can occur in adults or children. Everyone suffers from this skin condition at least once in their lifetime. The most common types of warts are not a major health concern as they do go away in time. But some people try to take treatment especially in cases where it bothers them or for aesthetic reasons. Warts can be easily removed through common treatments.

The Symptoms of Warts

The symptoms of warts are flesh colored swellings on the skin that could be scattered or sometimes close enough to look like a cauliflower. If in the genital region these warts can also cause itching and minor discomfort. In sexually active people, intercourse might lead to bleeding of the warts. But some genital warts can be so small that they can’t be seen by naked eye until they multiply to form clusters.

Some Common Myths About Warts

1. Warts Are Caused by Touching Frogs or Toads:

Warts are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus or HPV. They can speed through touching, skin to skin or mucosa to mucosa contact. There are many sub types of HPV and some of these could be cancerous

2. Warts Aren’t Contagious:

Warts spread easily by skin contact or by touching the belongings of the infected person too. Genital warts spread through sexual intercourse. They can also spread from one body part to another.

3. Warts Can’t Be Removed:

Warts can be removed with the help of a dermatologist by procedures like cryotherapy (freezing them) and cantharidin (lifting them out).

4. Warts Won’t Grow Back Once Removed:

Warts might grow even after removal as the causing HPV virus might remain dormant on the skin and may get activated again after sometime.

5. It’s Impossible To Prevent Warts:

It might be possible to reduce chances of getting warts by keeping general skin hygiene but it is not possible to get entirety prevent as most people do get in contact with the virus sometime or other.

The Details Of The Most Common Types Of Warts:

• Common Warts: These warts can be identified easily as they are grayer in color and generally appear on fingers or toes and have a rounded top.
• Hand And Foot Warts: These are most common warts in children and mostly appear in hands and on the bottom of the feet.
• Flat Warts: These types of warts develop on thighs and arms are can’t be noticed easily as they have a flat top and are either pinkish or brown in color.
• Genital Warts: These warts are fleshy and contagious in the anal region. They can be transmitted through sexual intercourse.
• Filiform Warts: These warts generally appear around chin, nose mouth or neck region and look a tiny flap or skin tag. They are shaped like a tiny skin flap.

The Treatment Options And Diagnosis Of Warts:

• Laser Surgery: The most common treatment of warts is done using a concentrated laser beam on the target region to remove the warts
• Manual removal with medical methods: Using this method, the wart is cut out manually or excised using local anesthesia
• Freezing with Liquid Nitrogen: Also known as cryotherapy, in this method the warts are frozen with liquid nitrogen after which a blister forms in the region and wears leaving skin to grow. In some cases, this treatment is done again and again until the warts go off completely.
• Electrocautery: This procedure is also called thermal cautery and involves process of passing alternating or direct current through an electrode that generates heat which is applied to the wart to achieve tissue destruction. It is done after giving local anesthesia.

Warts Treatment at Avané Clinic, Kenya

Avané Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic, Kenya is a professional dermatology clinic with renowned doctors and practitioners who have won accolades for their world class treatment and post treatment care. The clinic provides many types of dermatology and cosmetic treatments including treatment for warts in a trusted and safe environment.

The team of dermatologists and specialists at Avané Clinic, Kenya offer many treatments apart from warts treatment like Skin Lightening, Laser Treatment, Botox Treatment, Skin Refining and Rejuvenation, Medical Weight Loss Cure, Stretch Marks Treatment and Laser Non-Surgical Facelift. Avané Cosmetic Clinic is world renowned and has achieved recognition by many prestigious medical bodies.

The surgeons at Avané Clinic explain every possible option and procedures and provide all answer to their patient's queries regarding treatment and post treatment care. Their specialist care and post treatment sessions are known to be proper and the specialist give utmost attention to the patient’s.

Skin Care Specialist - Dr. Pranav Pancholi

Dr. Pranav Pancholi is a well renowned dermatologist in Nairobi, Kenya. He is one of the top skin specialists in the region. He has earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from University of Nairobi, Kenya and also his degree in Genitourinary Medicine and Venereology from University of Liverpool, UK. Dr. Pancholi is a specialist in techniques like Cryosurgery, Chemosurgery, Electrosurgery and Ablative CO2 Laser therapy.