INTRODUCTION: Warts are common, and are caused by a viral infection, specifically by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and are contagious when in contact with the skin of another. They grow very slowly and may take weeks or longer, in some cases, to develop and can be hard to get rid of because the thick layers of skin makes it hard for medicine to reach the virus that causes them.

They come in many sizes, colors, and shapes and happen to people of all ages, but most often in children and young adults. They may also bleed a little, but if bleeding is significant or not easily stopped by light pressure, see a MD. Warts are normally harmless growths that often go away on their own within 2 years.

HPV: As stated previously viruses that cause these skin growths are called human papilloma virus (HPV). More than 100 types of HPV are known to exist. Although treatments can remove the growths, they do not remove the virus, so they can recur after treatment. Genital warts are the most easily recognized sign of an HPV infection, However only a small percentage of people infected will develop these genital skin growths.

Children can pick up the virus from touching anything someone infected has used, such as towels and surfaces. Once cells are invaded by the virus, a latency (quiet) period of months to years may go by. The latency period simply means the virus is in an incubation period so if you do find a wart, you may never know when you came into contact with the virus that produced it.

They can also be seen in infants who have been delivered vaginally to mothers with HPV in their genital tracts; therefore, alternative methods of delivery should be considered.

TREATMENTS: Include the use of salicylic acid plasters, applying other chemicals, or one of the surgical treatments including laser surgery, electrosurgery, or cutting. One review of 52 clinical trials of various cutaneous applications concluded that topical treatments containing salicylic acid were the best, with an average cure rate of 75% observed with salicylic acid compared with 48% for placebo in six placebo-controlled trials including a total of 376 participants. This method generally takes three to six daily applications to be effective.

Like prescription cures, over-the-counter treatments often require numerous applications and are only necessary if the warts are problematic. Also, these are capable of destroying healthy skin as well as warts, so caution must be exercised by those attempting them without medical direction.

As there have been no controlled studies for the majority of household remedies, it is impossible to be sure if warts that disappear after such applications do so because the treatment was effective, or because the growths often disappear due to the person's own immune system regardless of treatment.

Dermatologists are trained to use various kinds of treatments, depending on the age of the patient and the kind of wart. However, repeat applications at one to three week intervals are usually necessary. Since these skin growths are generally harmless, there may be times when these are not appropriate. Medical applications can always be used later if necessary.

CONCLUSION: Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by a viral infection in the top layer of the skin. They are usually skin-colored and feel rough to the touch, but they can be dark, flat and smooth and are passed from person to person, sometimes indirectly. In adults they often do not disappear as easily or as quickly as they do in children and since they don't generally cause any problems, it's not always necessary to have them removed.