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Besides pimples and blackheads, warts can also ruin a flawless complexion. Warts are simply areas of skin that grow faster than normal due to the presence of the wart virus, 'human papillomavis' virus. They may appear as small, fleshy, grainy bumps that may be skin-coloured, white, pink, or tan. Can you get warts? As warts are caused by a virus, the body generally builds up a resistance over a period of time and causes the warts to disappear. Most warts typically disappear after a few months but can last for years and can recur. It appears that your susceptibility to warts and the time it takes for them to go away is related to your immune system. While common warts are usually painless, plantar warts can be painful because they press inward when you stand on your feet, feeling like a stone in the shoe. Common warts and plantar warts are not usually a serious health concern. ~ Have garlic capsules or tablets. ~ Soak lemon slices in apple cider with a little salt. Then rub the lemon slices on the wart. ~ Rub with a piece of chalk or a raw potato. ~ Tape the inner side of a banana skin to a plantar wart. ~ Making a paste from crushed Vitamin C tablets and water has helped some people. Apply to the wart and then cover with a bandage so the paste doesn't rub off. Evidence shows that the high acidity of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) can kill the wart-producing virus. Professional treatment If the home remedies do not work, then you may need to get professional help. Over-the-counter medication can be used initially for removal of warts, but do not use this method for warts on the face or genitals. A dermatologist or physician who is trained to use a variety of treatments, needs to be consulted when this happens. A doctor can apply medicines, burn or freeze the wart off, or take the wart off with surgery. Cryotherapy (freezing): Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze a wart. Several treatments may be needed. This treatment is generally preferred for common warts in adults and older children. This method may be slightly painful and around fingernails can deform the nails. Injection: Medication is injected into the wart to kill the virus. Surgical methods: These include laser surgery and electrosurgery to burn the wart, or simply cutting the wart. Immunotherapy: One type of method is to make the patient allergic to a certain chemical which would then be painted on the wart. A mild allergic reaction occurs around the treated warts, and this may result in the disappearance of the warts. All implements such as cuticle nippers, cuticle scissors, cuticle knife, nail clippers, callous paring blades and reusable and straight razors should be sterilised before use on different clients. The best sterilisation methods are steam, dry heat, and chemical germicides. If the therapists use disposable instruments, wear rubber gloves, use appropriate sterilisation techniques and employ a proper hand washing routine using an antimicrobial soap before working on clients, the risk of spreading the infection can be reduced. -- The author is a skin expert, Education Director of Nytec Beauty International, India & St John's Salon, London and has introduced Dermalogica range in India. |
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