Warts

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

11 Jul 2009 12:15 PM

While kissing a frog MIGHT turn him into a prince, it won't leave you with warts. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) -- a virus that isn't transferable between human and amphibian. So kiss all the frogs you want!

Warts are incredibly common. They're one of the top skin complaints, right up there with acne. Take a look at ten of your friends or coworkers; chances are, one out of the ten has a wart right now. Look... but don't touch. Warts are contagious. If the virus comes into contact with your skin and causes an infection, you'll be the next one on the wart hitlist. You can even develop warts by coming into contact with a surface that touched someone else's wart, like a towel or bathmat. Kinda gross, huh? Warts are more likely to develop on broken skin, and more likely to develop in children than adults. They can spread from one part of the body to another, so try not to pick at them or shave over them.

To minimize your risk of developing HPV warts:

• Wash your hands regularly.
• Don't share towels.
• Wear sandals or flip-flops in shared locker room or bathroom space.
• Avoid biting your nails or cuticles -- this can create an opening where the virus can enter the skin.
• Keep your skin healthy and moisturized.

Some warts will go away without treatment... but it may take months or even years. Many doctors feel that it's best to deal with warts as soon as they appear.

If you already have a wart, try these tricks to help them heal:

• Salicylic acid plasters can be a very effective at-home treatment. Follow directions carefully, then file away dead skin with a dedicated emery board. (Don't use that file for any other purpose or you could spread the virus -- throw it away when the wart is gone.)
• Try suffocating the wart. Some people have had success with duct tape or clear nail polish -- apply to the wart and leave for several days. Some research suggests that this type of treatment may not be the most effective, but if it works for you, great!
• Work the vitamins. Vitamin A and vitamin C may both help boost the immune system's fight against the virus.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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Samual (11722) 11 Jul 2009 12:58 PM

The wart virus is on every single surface and can't be killed, so things like washing your hands are pointless. Banana skins are good for getting rid of warts, you put the mushy side on the wart over night for a week or two and it dies, a bit messy but it means you don't have to pollute with chemicals.

Aimee Amodio (11995) 11 Jul 2009 01:33 PM

Washing your hands is never pointless!

Thanks for the banana skin tip.