Warts
Warts are noncancerous rough bumps that
form on the skin. They develop when the human
papillomavirus enters a cut or break in the skin and causes an
infection.
Warts vary in appearance. They may look: Dome-shaped, Flat, Rough, Skin-coloured,
brown, grey, or black.
TYPES OF WARTS
- Hands: These warts are called common warts because they are the
most common type.
- Face: Flat warts affect the face and forehead.
- Feet: Plantar warts appear on the soles of the feet. These
warts look like calluses with tiny black dots in the center. They are
often painful and form in clusters.
- Genitals: Warts that form on the penis, vagina, or rectum are called genital warts. These warts are a type of sexually transmitted infection.
- Periungual and subungual: These warts form under or around
fingernails and toenails.
CAUSES
- When the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters a cut in the skin, it causes
a skin infection that forms warts. Warts are very contagious. Direct contact
with a wart.
- Touching something contaminated with the virus, such as towels,
doorknobs, and shower floors.
- Sexual intercourse (genital warts).
- Nail biting and cuticle picking.
- Shaving.
PREVENTION
- Avoid shaving over a wart.
- Break the habit of biting your nails or picking at cuticles.
- Don’t share towels, washcloths, clothing, nail clippers, razors or other
personal items.
- Don’t touch another person’s wart.
- use condoms to prevent genital warts.
- Keep your feet dry to prevent the spread of plantar warts.
- Try not to scratch, cut or pick at a wart.
- Wear flip-flops or shoes when using a public locker room, pool area, or
shower.
