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If you’ve ever had a wart on any part of your body, you’re not alone. Warts are a very common skin condition that can be stubborn, unsightly, and even painful. While they’re common, you might feel like you are more prone to them than others, and this can be frustrating if you feel like there’s nothing that can be done about it. Here’s some information to help you better understand this condition.

Warts are Caused by Viruses

Contrary to popular belief, warts are not caused by contact with frogs or toads. Warts are actually an infection caused by contact with viruses in the HPV family, or human papillomavirus, that enters through a cut or scratch in the skin. The wart itself is caused by rapid growth of skin cells because of the infection. Because they are caused by infections, it’s believed that people with weakened immune systems, like children, are more susceptible to warts.

Contact With These Viruses is Very Common

Everyone comes into contact with these viruses during everyday activities. It can be contracted from inanimate surfaces, or from other people who have warts. The wart doesn’t grow immediately, though, and days or weeks can pass before any sign of the infection begins to show. Warts can also spread to other areas of the body from an infected spot.

Prevention and Removal are the Best Ways to Combat Warts

Prevention of warts is the most effective way to treat them. Good hygiene and washing your hands when in public will help prevent exposure to the virus, and keeping any cuts or scrapes clean and covered up will stop infections. If you are already struggling with warts that won’t go away, Dr. Baird offers wart removal procedures with a variety of techniques that depend on the size and location. Common ways include freezing, laser removal, or chemical ablation, and are effective ways of removing existing warts.

There’s no need to feel like you’re stuck with warts forever. If you have questions about your warts or would like to have wart removal, contact our office to schedule a consultation.