Warts are skin infections caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The HPV virus can enter the skin when there are small cuts or injuries on the skin and cause warts. Warts on the hands are usually transmitted through contact with shared objects, especially shaking hands.
There are different types of warts on the hand. The most common are flat warts, pointed warts and plantar warts. Flat warts usually have a smooth surface and are skin colored. Pointed warts have a harder surface and are usually seen around the nails. Plantar warts appear on the soles of the feet and can make walking difficult.
Types of Warts on the Hand
Warts on the hands can appear in various ways. Flat warts may appear on the hand or between the fingers. Sharp warts usually form around the nails or on the fingers. Plantar warts are found on the base of the hands, especially in areas related to weight bearing.
While flat and pointed warts are usually transmitted by contact with an infected person, plantar warts are more commonly caught in areas with high humidity, especially swimming pools or gyms.
Methods to Treat Hand Warts at Home
There are many home remedies to treat warts on hands. One of them is to apply garlic paste on the wart. Garlic has natural antibacterial properties and can speed up the healing process of warts. You can also apply lemon juice on the wart or rub the wart with aspirin. These home remedies can help warts reduce and eventually disappear.
Another home remedy is to treat warts with apple cider vinegar. Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and place it on the wart. You can repeat this process several times a day. The acidic properties of apple cider vinegar can help the wart dry and fall off.
Over-the-Counter Treatments for Hand Warts
If home remedies are not enough to treat your warts, you can try over-the-counter treatments. There are wart treatment products that you can find in many pharmacies. These are usually in liquid or cream form that is applied to the wart. These products usually try to destroy the wart by peeling off its top layer. The treatment process usually takes several weeks and must be applied regularly.
It is important to be careful when using over-the-counter treatments. Read the product instructions carefully and check if it causes any side effects. Additionally, it may be better to consult a specialist due to the size or location of the wart.
Medical Treatments of Warts on Hands
If home remedies or over-the-counter treatments are not enough to treat your warts, you can consider medical treatment options from a dermatologist. These treatments include cryotherapy, electrocauterization and laser therapy. Cryotherapy involves destroying the wart by freezing it. Electrocauterization, on the other hand, burns the wart with electric current. Laser treatment aims to destroy the wart with laser light.
These medical treatments are usually performed by a specialist and must be administered carefully. Following treatment, you should use the recommended medications and care methods to monitor the healing process of the wart and reduce the risk of any infection.
Wart Removal and Care Precautions
After removing warts, it is important to take some precautions to prevent them from recurring. First, wash your hands regularly and keep them clean. Also, avoid sharing common objects, especially those that can be transmitted by contact, such as shaking hands.
It is also important to use gloves to prevent the spread of hand warts. You can prevent wart contamination by using gloves, especially in environments such as gyms or swimming pools.
When to See a Doctor for Warts on Hands?
Warts on the hands are usually harmless and can be treated at home. However, in some cases it is important to see a doctor. For example, if the wart is large or has changed color, it is important to consult a specialist. You may also need to see a doctor if the wart is painful or bleeding.
It is also important to see a doctor if warts appear repeatedly. Your doctor may evaluate recurring warts if they are caused by an underlying health problem.
Tips to Prevent Warts on Hands
To prevent warts on hands, you can follow these tips:
• Wash your hands regularly and keep them clean.
• Avoid sharing common objects.
• Use gloves in gyms or swimming pools.
• Keep your skin moisturized and treat your stretch marks.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle to strengthen your immune system.
Common Misconceptions About Hand Warts
There are many misconceptions about hand warts. Here are some common misconceptions and facts:
• Misbelief: Touching or squeezing warts does not cause the wart to spread.