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Understanding Warts on Hands and Fingers
Are you suffering from warts on your hands or fingers? Or are you possibly a parent of a child who is suffering with warts on their hands and fingers? Skin warts are very common. However, these growths are much more common on children, but people of any age can and do have warts on their hands, fingers, face and other areas of the body.
What Causes Warts on Hands and Fingers?
Common skin warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The human papillomavirus has around 100 known strains. Of these, at least 60 are known to be responsible for skin warts. The remaining 40 or so strains of HPV are responsible for the various types of genital warts.
Common warts typically enter the skin through small cuts, scrapes or abrasions. Once the virus enters the skin, warts can begin to grow and become visible within a few short months. With that said however, not everyone infected with the virus will develop warts.
Who is Most at Risk For Getting Warts?
Almost everyone will develop at least one wart during their lifetimes. And the most common location people will develop warts is on their hands. Certain strains of HPV are much more likely to result in warts growing on people’s hands than other areas of the body. A Small percentage of the strains of the virus can cause both hand warts and genital warts.
The most likely age to develop warts, especially hand warts, is between 12 and 16. Girls are slightly more likely to develop warts than boys. Children are most likely to develop warts due to the fact that their immune systems are not as well developed as an adult. Also, children that have warts are more likely to spread HPV by touching toys that are used by other children.
Are Warts Contagious?
Yes, warts are contagious and can be spread from person to person by either direct or indirect contact. Typically direct skin to skin contact is the most likely way people become infected with HPV. But you might also get it by touching items that have been used by an infected person such as hand towels. Contrary to old wives tales, people cannot get warts by handling frogs.
A person already infected with warts can very easily spread them to other locations on their body. The human papillomavirus can live on the surface of objects for quite some time. Therefore it’s a good idea to have your children wash their hands thoroughly after visiting a playground or other children have been playing.
Is it Possible to Prevent Warts?
unfortunately, there is no way to absolutely prevent getting warts. However there are numerous measures you can take to reduce the risk of acquiring skin warts. The number one precautionary measure you can take is, wash your hands thoroughly on a regular basis. It’s also important to keep your skin moisturized and healthy. People should try to keep their hands free of cuts and scratches. If you are someone who typically bites your fingernails, do everything you can to stop doing that. This is a habit that creates an opening for the human papillomavirus to enter.
Will Warts Go Away Without Treatment?
Yes, warts will indeed go away without treatment. However this can take many months or possibly even years. Due to the fact that warts can be spread to other parts of the body, it’s highly recommended that you treat and remove warts as soon after discovering them as possible.
What is The Best Treatment Method to Remove Warts?
Due to the fact that there are so many treatment options available, it’s difficult to choose one specific removal method to call, “best”. Most physicians recommend trying home remedies first. The majority of home remedies are effective at wart removal approximately 80% of the time. Due to the expense of going to a physician home removal is preferred. Only after trying either home remedies or over-the-counter medications will you need to contact your doctor. The one exception to that rule is if you’re not sure what you have is indeed a wart.
Conclusion
Since warts are essentially harmless growths, the primary reasons to remove them is to prevent them from being spread to other people or other parts of your body. Once you have acquired warts, there are many effective methods to remove them.
