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Dermatology
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Warts
What causes warts?
Warts are a type of infection caused by viruses in the human
papillomavirus (HPV) family. There are more than 100 types
of HPV viruses. Warts can grow on all parts of your body.
They can grow on your skin, on the inside of your mouth, on
your genitals and on your rectal area. Some types of HPV
tend to cause warts on the skin, while other HPV types tend
to cause warts on the genitals and rectal area. Some people
are more naturally resistant to the HPV viruses and don't
seem to get warts as easily as other people.
Can warts be passed from one
person to another person?
Yes. Warts on the skin may be passed to another person when
that person touches the warts. It is also possible to get
warts from using towels or other objects that were used by a
person who has warts.
Warts on the genitals are very contagious and can be passed
to another person during oral, vaginal or anal sex. It is
important not to have unprotected sex if you or your partner
has warts on the genital area. In women, warts can grow on
the cervix (inside the vagina), and a woman may not know she
has them. She may pass the infection to her sexual partner
without even knowing it.
Will warts go away on their own?
Often warts disappear on their own, although it may take
many months, or even years, for the warts to go away. But
some warts won't go away on their own. Doctors don't know
why some warts disappear and others don't.
Do warts need to be treated?
Generally, yes. Warts are often bothersome. They can bleed
and cause pain when they're bumped. They can also be
embarrassing, for example, if they grow on your face.
Treatment may decrease the chance that the warts will be
spread to other areas of your body or to other people.
How are warts on the skin removed?
First of all, it's important to know that warts on the skin
(such as on the fingers, feet and knees) and warts on the
genitals are removed in different ways. Don't try any home
remedies or over-the-counter drugs to remove warts on the
genital area. You also shouldn't treat warts on your face
without talking to your doctor first.
Ned Snyder IV, MD
/ Plastic Surgery
Renee
Snyder, MD / Dermatology
901 West
38th Street, Suite 410
Austin,
Texas 78705
Phone:
512-533-9900
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