Warts can appear almost anytime and anywhere, and in any individual. Aside from being unsightly, sometimes warts can be painful and almost impossible to remove. Furthermore, removing a wart does not prevent new warts from developing elsewhere.
The Cause of Warts
Warts are caused by a virus under the skin. Contact with the virus can occur almost anywhere, but is more common in areas where skin is exposed, such as swimming pools and public restrooms. Many people will come in contact with the virus that causes warts at some point in their lives, but not every one of them will develop visible warts because some immune systems will be able to suppress the virus. Aside from not directly touching a wart, it is almost impossible to avoid contact with the virus.
The Development of Warts
After the virus takes hold under an individual’s skin, it will grow to the point where it will create a small, tiny wart above the skin’s surface. A wart can remain this tiny size or it can grow larger depending on the strength of the virus or if it is left untreated. Sometimes, warts will spread to other parts of the body, but other times they will be contained in one section on the body. It is not uncommon for warts to grow next to or on top of each other.
Types of Warts, Locations and Development
There are several types of warts. Plantar warts develop on the soles of the feet and are often unsightly and painful. Oral warts appear on the lips or mouth and take several different shapes and can be quite small to quite large.
The development and growth of these warts depends on the location, treatment and exposure of these areas. Some warts are more common than others, but all are equally likely to spread and grow if left untreated.
First Appearance
A wart can first appear as a tiny bump with no discoloration. It can stay like this for a very long time and even indefinitely without growing, spreading or changing color. Over time, a wart can become larger, darker and can become more rounded or flat. The development of a wart depends on the location of the wart, strength of the virus and the individual’s skin.
Factors Enhancing Development
Several things can enhance the likelihood of coming into contact with the wart virus, the growth and spreading of warts and treatment of warts. Dry, cracked skin makes it more likely for the virus to enter under the topmost layers of the skin and take hold and develop into warts. Dirty skin increases the likelihood of warts growing and spreading to other areas. Not treating or using an improper method for treatment can also increase the chances that warts will become worse.
To prevent these problems from making warts worse and more difficult to treat, the appearance of a wart should be cause to immediately visit a dermatologist. While undergoing treatment, furthermore, it is imperative that a patient keep skin, particularly the skin around the wart itself, clean, dry and moisturized with a lotion recommended by a physician.
