Warts are unsightly and often appear on the top layer of the skin. They usually grow on the hands and the feet of children and young adults. These lumps which color mimics that of the skin are usually rough and small. In most cases, the topmost portion of the lump would appear hard and yellowish as it is composed of keratin (a hard protein in the layer of the skin) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Common Wart by Kai Hendry
Most warts are noncancerous, yet most people want to get rid of them immediately because aside from the fact that they are contagious, they also cause discomfort and lessen self-esteem especially if they grow in numbers. According to experts, there are several types of warts. They are the following.
- The Common Warts – According to NHS UK survey, 74percent of 1000 children with warts had this type of skin infection. Common warts usually occur at the back side portion of the toes, knees, knuckles, fingers, and elbows. They come in dome-like shape and have rough surface.
- The Plantar Warts – Twenty-four percent of the 1000 children surveyed by NHS UK had plantar warts. This type of wart usually occurs in the soles of the feet, and in some cases also appears in the soles of the heel and toes. Plantar warts are commonly hard and thick patches of skin that can cause pain when walking.
- The Plane Warts – Plane or flat warts are the ones that usually appear on the face, arms, neck, and legs. They are small in sizes and have plane and round surfaces. Of the 1000 children surveyed by NHS UK, 3.5 percent of them had plane warts.
- The Filiform Warts – This type of warts usually appear on the face, eyelids, neck, and lips. They are long and flesh-colored growths that cause discomfort and to some extent can become very unsightly if they grow in cluster. Out of the 1000 children surveyed by NHS UK, 2 percent of them had filiform warts.
- The Mosaic Warts – Usually appear on the feet, mosaic warts are plantar warts that grow in cluster. They also grow in the palm of the hands.
Top 3 Effective Home Remedies to Get Rid of Warts
Duct-taped Wart by Joel Franusic
There are lots of over the counter treatments for warts but some of them can become too expensive and others just won’t work anymore. Because of this, most people tend to seek for alternative solution through home remedies. Below are some home remedies you can do to effectively get rid of this contagious skin infection.
- Aloe Vera–The gel of the Aloe Vera when directly applied to the warts can effectively remove them after some time. According to online testimonials, the wart will fall out after a ball of cotton soaked in Aloe Vera gel was taped on it and left for a specific length of time.
- Duct Tape–According to the study reported by the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, same with liquid nitrogen, hardware duct tape can effectively remove warts. The study revealed that 85 percent of patients had their warts removed after undergoing a duct-tape therapy.
- Banana Peel–According to some online testimonials, banana peels can cure and remove warts effectively. The potassium in the banana peel is the effective substance that causes the warts to fall off. Rubbing the inside of a banana peel daily can eventually remove the growths.
Other proven effective remedies to get rid of warts include tea tree oil, lemon oil, and castor oil. Always remember not to touch the affected area to prevent the warts from spreading to other parts of your body.
Note: It is always recommended to consult your dermatologist or physician before using any of the suggested treatments above.
About the Guest Author
Agnes Jimenez is a professional blogger and writer. She advocates for healthy living and lifestyle by publishing all sorts of health-related articles online. She believes that home remedies are good alternatives in treating ailments and diseases especially when it comes to minor ones. You can follow her in twitter @empressofdrac.