Warts
are benign (be-nine) growths caused by a virus which invades
only the superficial layer of the skin. Warts are contagious.
They usually appear three to eight weeks after exposure
to the virus. Some people, having developed an immunity,
do not catch the disease, but in other instances, one will
find numerous cases in which there are several people in
the family with warts. Contagion occurs by direct contact.
Some people develop an immunity after contracting warts
resulting in spontaneous healing. This is caused by the
natural body defense system, but does not occur in all people.
Warts can be successfully treated, but in the following
locations, they are more resistant to treatment: on the
soles of the feet, around and under the nails, in a shaved
area of the body or in the genital area. All professional
treatment is aimed at destroying the virus. Several types
of treatment are used for this, such as excision, acids
and freezing. The kind of treatment employed depends on
the size, location
and abundance of the warts. With any of these
methods, several treatments may be required.
