Why Do We Get Warts? Understanding the Causes and Treatments for Warts

Warts are small, often unsightly, growths on the skin that most people will experience at some point in their lives. They can appear on different parts of the body, including the hands, feet, face, and even genital areas. While generally harmless, warts can be frustrating and uncomfortable, leading many to wonder: Why do we get warts? The answer lies in the viral nature of these growths.

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a widespread virus that infects the top layer of the skin or mucous membranes. HPV has over 100 different strains, and while some strains cause common warts on the hands or feet, others can lead to more serious conditions, such as genital warts or, in rare cases, cervical cancer. In this article, we’ll explore the viral causes of warts, how they spread, and the various treatment options available to get rid of these skin growths.

What Are Warts?

Warts are benign (non-cancerous) skin growths that occur when the skin is infected with a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV). They typically appear as small, rough bumps on the surface of the skin and can vary in size, color, and shape depending on their location and the type of wart. The appearance of warts can range from flat and smooth to raised and rough, often with a cauliflower-like texture.

While warts can occur on anyone, they are particularly common in children, teenagers, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Most warts are harmless and may disappear on their own over time, but they can persist for months or even years without treatment.

Types of Warts

There are several different types of warts, each associated with a particular strain of HPV and found in specific areas of the body:

• Common Warts (Verruca Vulgaris): These warts typically appear on the hands, fingers, or knees. They have a rough texture and may have black dots in the center, which are often mistakenly referred to as “seeds” but are actually small, clotted blood vessels.
• Plantar Warts: Found on the soles of the feet, plantar warts can be painful due to their location, especially when standing or walking. They tend to grow inward due to the pressure of body weight, creating a flat appearance.
• Flat Warts: These are smaller, smoother, and flatter than other types of warts and commonly appear on the face, neck, hands, or shins. They can occur in large numbers, often in clusters.
• Filiform Warts: These long, narrow, finger-like warts are typically found on the face, around the mouth, nose, or eyes. They tend to grow quickly but are usually painless.
• Genital Warts: Caused by certain strains of HPV, genital warts affect the genital and anal areas and are considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). These warts are soft to the touch and can appear as small, flesh-colored bumps or have a cauliflower-like appearance.

What Causes Warts?

Warts are caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that enters the body through small cuts, breaks, or abrasions in the skin. Once inside, the virus triggers rapid cell growth on the outer layer of the skin, leading to the formation of a wart. HPV infects keratinocytes, the cells that make up the majority of the skin’s outer layer (epidermis), and causes them to grow more quickly than normal, resulting in the raised bump we recognize as a wart.

How Do You Get HPV?

HPV is highly contagious, and warts are easily spread through direct contact with infected skin or surfaces. Here are some common ways the virus can be transmitted:

1. Skin-to-Skin Contact: Direct contact with a wart on someone else’s skin can transmit the virus, especially if there are cuts or abrasions on your skin.
2. Contact with Contaminated Surfaces: HPV can linger on surfaces such as towels, floors, and objects in communal areas like pools, locker rooms, and gyms. Walking barefoot in these environments increases the risk of infection.
3. Autoinoculation: This refers to spreading the virus from one part of your body to another. For example, if you pick or scratch a wart on your hand, you can transfer the virus to other areas of your body.
4. Sexual Contact: Certain strains of HPV cause genital warts, and these strains are typically transmitted through sexual activity. Genital warts are a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Although HPV is highly contagious, not everyone who comes into contact with the virus will develop warts. The likelihood of developing warts depends on several factors, including the person’s immune system and the strain of HPV involved.

Why Do Some People Get Warts More Easily?

The body’s immune response plays a significant role in whether or not a person develops warts. Some individuals may come into contact with HPV but never develop visible warts because their immune system is able to suppress the virus before it causes skin growths. Others, particularly those with weakened immune systems, may be more susceptible to the virus and therefore more likely to develop warts.

People who have conditions that suppress the immune system, such as HIV/AIDS or those undergoing chemotherapy, are at higher risk of developing warts. Additionally, individuals who are prone to stress or have chronic illnesses may have a weaker immune response, making them more vulnerable to HPV infections.

Treatment Options for Warts

Although most warts will eventually go away on their own as the body’s immune system clears the HPV infection, this process can take months or even years. For those who want to get rid of warts more quickly, or if warts are causing discomfort or spreading, there are several treatment options available. These treatments range from over-the-counter remedies to medical procedures performed by a healthcare professional.

1. Over-the-Counter Treatments

For common warts and plantar warts, over-the-counter treatments can often be effective in eliminating the growths. Some of the most commonly used treatments include:

• Salicylic Acid: Available in liquid, gel, or patch form, salicylic acid works by dissolving the layers of the wart over time. It softens the skin, making it easier to remove the infected tissue. Regular application, along with exfoliating the dead skin with a pumice stone or emery board, can gradually shrink and eliminate warts.
• Cryotherapy (Cold Treatment): Over-the-counter cryotherapy kits use a freezing agent, such as dimethyl ether, to freeze the wart. This process destroys the infected tissue, causing the wart to fall off after a few applications.

2. Prescription Treatments

In cases where over-the-counter treatments aren’t effective, a healthcare professional may prescribe stronger treatments, such as:

• Stronger Salicylic Acid Solutions: These prescription-strength solutions are more potent than those available over the counter and may be more effective for larger or more stubborn warts.
• Topical Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy creams like imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil can stimulate the immune system to fight off the wart-causing virus more effectively.

3. Medical Procedures

For persistent warts, or in cases where warts are causing significant discomfort or spreading, healthcare providers may recommend more invasive treatments, such as:

• Cryotherapy (Freezing): In a medical setting, a healthcare provider may use liquid nitrogen to freeze warts at a much lower temperature than over-the-counter cryotherapy products. This treatment destroys the wart tissue, and the frozen wart eventually falls off.
• Electrosurgery: This involves burning off the wart using an electrical current. The wart is destroyed by the heat, and the damaged tissue is removed.
• Laser Therapy: For more difficult-to-treat warts, laser therapy may be used. The laser targets the wart tissue and destroys it through heat. This method is often used for warts that have not responded to other treatments.
• Surgical Excision: In some cases, a healthcare provider may decide to cut out the wart surgically. This is typically reserved for warts that have not responded to other treatments and is done under local anesthesia.

4. Home Remedies

Some individuals choose to try home remedies for warts before seeking professional treatment. While these methods are not always backed by scientific evidence, some people find success with remedies such as:

• Duct Tape Occlusion Therapy: This involves covering the wart with duct tape for several days, then removing the tape, soaking the wart in water, and scraping off the dead tissue with a pumice stone. The process is repeated until the wart disappears.
• Garlic: Crushed garlic is believed by some to have antiviral properties that can help treat warts. Applying garlic directly to the wart and covering it with a bandage may help reduce the size of the wart.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Some people apply apple cider vinegar to warts using a cotton ball, believing that the acidic properties of vinegar will kill the virus and remove the wart.

While these home remedies may work for some, it’s important to exercise caution and consult with a healthcare provider if warts persist or worsen.

Can Warts Be Prevented?

Preventing warts entirely may be difficult due to the widespread nature of HPV, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the virus or spreading it to others:

1. Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands regularly and avoid picking or scratching warts to prevent spreading the virus to other areas of your body.
2. Avoid Walking Barefoot in Communal Areas: Wearing flip-flops or shoes in public showers, locker rooms, and around pools can reduce the risk of contracting HPV from contaminated surfaces.
3. Don’t Share Personal Items: Avoid sharing towels, razors, socks, or shoes with others, as HPV can spread through these items.
4. Use Protection During Sexual Activity: Using condoms can help reduce the risk of contracting genital warts caused by certain strains of HPV, although condoms may not completely prevent transmission.
5. HPV Vaccine: The HPV vaccine is available and helps protect against several high-risk strains of the virus that cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

Conclusion

Warts are caused by a viral infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters the body through small breaks in the skin. While warts are generally harmless and often go away on their own, they can be unsightly, uncomfortable, and contagious. Treatment options range from over-the-counter remedies and prescription medications to more advanced medical procedures, depending on the type and severity of the wart.

Understanding how warts are caused and how they spread can help individuals take preventive measures and choose the most effective treatment options. Whether you opt for home remedies, medical treatments, or preventive measures, managing warts starts with addressing the underlying viral cause and supporting your body’s ability to clear the infection.