Even though most warts do not pose a serious health risk, they can be very stressful for those affected. In addition to painful plantar warts on the feet, it is primarily the small growths on the face and hands that have a negative impact on the psychological state.
We will show you how to treat warts reliably. Learn about the different types of warts, their causes and symptoms in order to successfully get rid of them.
Recognizing warts: What types are there?
Warts , also known as verrucae vulgaris in technical terms, are skin growths that are often caused by a viral infection . They can appear on different parts of the body .
Expert tip: The different types of warts vary in size and shape.
Warts often appear on the feet, face or hands . To help you easily recognize the benign skin growths , we will introduce you to the different types of warts below:
Everything about plantar warts: What’s behind them?
Plantar warts are particularly painful . They can grow deep into the skin and form a kind of "thorn". This is why they are often referred to colloquially as "thorn warts".
🌿 Occurrence: Plantar warts mainly form on the soles of the feet. But they can also develop on the hands.
🌿 Appearance: Callus-like thickening, interspersed with black dots. Plantar warts on the sole of the foot grow inwards like thorns.
🌿 Size: Usually twice as large inside the foot as it appears from the outside.
🌿 Cause: Viral infection with human papilloma viruses (HPV)
🌿 Special feature: A plantar wart often causes severe pain when walking.
All about common warts: What's behind them?
Common warts are one of the most common types of warts . In medical circles, they are also known as vulgar warts.
🌿 Occurrence: Mainly on the feet, back of the hands, fingers and nail edges
🌿 Appearance: Rough and scaly, callus-like thickening.
🌿 Size: pin to pea size
🌿 Special feature: Common warts can appear anywhere on the body.
Everything about flat warts: What’s behind them?
Flat warts are also known as planar warts. As the name suggests, they are rather flat in contrast to other warts .
🌿 Occurrence: Plane warts occur mainly on the face (forehead, cheeks), but also on the hands and forearms.
🌿 Appearance: Flat elevation with dotted surface, often brownish in color
🌿 Size: A few millimeters in size
🌿 Special feature: Usually occurs in large colonies and mainly affects children and adolescents
Everything about mosaic warts: What’s behind them?
Mosaic warts always occur in large numbers and form a mosaic-like pattern . In contrast to plantar warts, they are limited to the surface of the skin .
🌿 Occurrence: soles of feet
🌿 Appearance: White, flatter than plantar warts
🌿 Size: pinhead sized
🌿 Special feature: The incubation period (time from infection to outbreak) can be several months. Even if the mosaic warts are not yet visible, infection can already occur.
Everything about filiform warts: What’s behind them?
Filiform warts , also known as Verruacae filiformes, are reminiscent of a paintbrush with their thread-like appearance. Even though this type of wart is highly contagious , it is relatively rare. Since filiform warts mainly form on the face, they mainly represent a visual problem for those affected.
🌿 Occurrence: Face (often on the eye or mouth)
🌿 Appearance: Pink or white colored thread-like growth with brown dot at the tip
🌿 Size: Up to one centimeter
🌿 Special feature: Filiform warts form “offshoots” within a very short time.
Everything about genital warts: What’s behind them?
Genital warts (Condylomata acuminata) only affect the genital and anal area , which is why they are also called genital warts. They are a sexually transmitted disease .
🌿 Occurrence: genital and anal area
🌿 Appearance: White-grey to reddish nodules
🌿 Size: 1- 5 millimeters
🌿 Special feature : Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. They often occur in large numbers (so-called wart beds). Genital warts can increase the risk of cervical cancer.
Everything about molluscum contagiosum: What’s behind it?
Mollusca contagiosa mainly form on dry and flaky skin . Therefore, people with neurodermatitis or psoriasis are primarily at risk.
🌿 Occurrence: face, neck, arms and legs
🌿 Appearance: Skin-colored to light red nodules
🌿 Size: pinhead sized
🌿 Special feature : Unlike most other types of warts, molluscum contagiosum is not caused by human papilloma viruses, but by a pox virus.
Everything about age spots: What’s behind them?
Unlike other types of warts, age warts are not caused by viruses and are therefore not contagious . As the name suggests, they mainly occur in old age.
🌿 Occurrence: face, back, chest
🌿 Appearance: Oval to round, brown to black, with jagged surface
🌿 Size: lentil to bean sized
🌿 Special feature: Age spots mainly only form after the age of 50. They are promoted by UV radiation.
Symptoms & first signs
"Warts do not cause any symptoms in the early stages."
Most types of warts remain relatively unnoticeable. However, plantar warts can cause severe pain when walking.
Common warts and mosaic warts can be noticeable through itching . This often occurs before the warts are visible on the skin and is therefore the first sign of skin growth.
The most common causes of warts
Most warts are caused by human papilloma viruses (HPV) . They are transmitted by contact infections and penetrate deeper layers of the skin through fine cracks or small injuries .
Infection usually occurs through direct skin contact, such as when shaking hands, or through contaminated objects such as towels, door handles, etc.
The risk of infection is particularly high in warm, humid rooms (swimming pools/saunas). You can become infected with wart viruses particularly quickly if you walk barefoot.
Age spots, on the other hand, are not caused by viruses. The exact cause has not yet been identified. However, scientists suspect that several factors are involved in the development of age spots. The main focus is currently on genetic predisposition and the aging process.
Treatment: What really helps?
Many sufferers rightly ask themselves: “What can you do about warts?” In conventional and holistic medicine, various forms of therapy are available:
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Freezing warts: This method involves applying liquid nitrogen to the wart. This is supposed to kill it. However, this treatment can also destroy the surrounding skin tissue and those affected usually say the chances of success are inadequate.
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Have warts removed: If the plantar warts are very deep, it is possible to have them surgically removed. This often creates very large holes in the foot, which take a long time to heal. Those affected are then usually dependent on crutches for a long time.
- Treat warts naturally: Holistic doctors recommend a natural and gentle wart treatment. Most warts can be treated yourself using proven medicinal plants and natural remedies - and with absolutely no risk, side effects and pain! We'll show you how to do this now!
Expert tip: Foot bath before wart treatment
Before treating warts, you should take a hand or foot bath with salt . This will prepare the skin optimally. Our foot bath salt contains all the ingredients that are used in naturopathy for accompanying therapy.
➽ The sea salt it contains can have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.
➽ Baking soda supports the skin’s natural pH value.
➽ Tea tree oil is said to have cleansing and antiviral properties.
➽ Eucalyptus and peppermint are also considered antibiotic and antiviral medicinal plants in natural medicine.
Thanks to the balanced formula, you can support your wart treatment in a beneficial way with the purely natural foot bath salt from Health Routine.
Home remedies for warts: myth or truth?
Medicinal plants have played a major role in holistic medicine and naturopathy for thousands of years. Long before chemical agents were invented, people used the power of plants to support the body's natural self-healing abilities.
The following components from phytotherapy have proven to be particularly effective in the treatment of warts :
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Almond oil is particularly skin-friendly and cares for even sensitive skin. Thanks to its valuable ingredients such as vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids, it supplies your skin with essential nutrients. In addition, almond oil is said to have antiviral and antifungal properties.
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In naturopathy, thuja oil is considered to be an effective aid in successfully fighting warts. It can also help strengthen the immune system.
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Tea tree oil has an antiseptic effect and is used cosmetically to treat warts on the feet and other parts of the body.
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Castor oil can have a disinfectant and immune-boosting effect. Even in ancient times, Greek doctors considered it a valuable aid in the treatment of warts.
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Juniper wood oil supports viral infections and helps to rebuild a weakened skin barrier. It also provides pleasant relaxation in the case of skin irritations.
- Wintergreen consists largely of methyl salicylate, which can soften hardened skin.
Expert advice: Please note that in natural medicine a combination of medicinal plants is often preferred because it has a synergistic effect. This means that the natural active ingredients support each other and work best in combination.
Since we at Health Routine always value combining the best of nature with the latest scientific research, our Wart Care Pen contains all of the ingredients mentioned.
It's really easy to use: simply apply to the affected areas up to three times a day and allow to take effect. Done.
When should you see a doctor?
Fighting warts successfully can take some time . Plantar warts in particular are often very stubborn . If you are unsure or have questions, or if the warts are painful, you should always seek medical advice.
Warts on the face or eyes in particular often require medical attention. Diabetics should also consult their dermatologist to have warts removed.
Preventing warts: What everyone should know
When several people live together in one household , warts can often spread rapidly . No wonder. After all, viral infections are highly contagious.
It is therefore all the more important that those affected know the following tips. This will not only reduce the risk of infection, but also prevent recurrence:
Prevent warts:
🌿 Never walk barefoot in unfamiliar surroundings (swimming pool, sauna, hotel room, etc.).
🌿 Always dry your feet and hands thoroughly after washing. Remember to dry between your toes.
🌿 Provide your skin with sufficient moisture. An optimal skin barrier prevents the penetration of fungi, bacteria and viruses. Our Feet Care Spray with purely natural active ingredients supports you in your daily foot care. Simply spray on. Done.
🌿 Support your immune system with vitamins, minerals and omega 3 capsules .
Reduce the risk of infection for others:
🌿 Make sure other family members do not come into contact with your washcloths and towels.
🌿 Wash all textiles (including towels and washcloths) at least 60 degrees to kill the viruses.
🌿 Cover your wart with a plaster when bathing, showering or swimming.
🌿 Don't walk around barefoot.
🌿 If you touch the wart, wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
How effective is the HPV vaccination?
Recently, vaccinations against HPV have been increasingly recommended. However, you should know that this can only reduce the cervical risk, which is slightly increased by infection with genital warts.
It cannot protect against the development of genital warts or against infection with other types of warts . The vaccination also has no effect on warts on the face or other parts of the body.
Who is particularly susceptible to warts? Overview of risk groups
Not everyone who comes into contact with HPV viruses necessarily develops warts on the foot, hand or face. However, anyone who belongs to one of the following risk groups should pay particular attention to the protective measures mentioned above:
- Athletes using communal showers
- If there is a family history of acute skin warts
- Weakened immune system
- Neurodermatitis, psoriasis
- diabetic
- Smokers
How common are warts?
Warts are one of the most common infections in children and adolescents worldwide. However, warts are also relatively common in adults.
Typical course
There are relatively few studies on the course of the disease in adults. However, experience shows that warts can be easily controlled in those affected who have an intact immune system.
If you want holistic support when fighting warts, the Wart Care Pen is the ideal companion at your side.
There is no general rule for how long the treatment will take until the warts disappear completely. This depends largely on the type of wart and the general physical condition.
Conclusion
Removing skin warts can be a big challenge for those affected, especially if the desired results are not immediate. But since you have read our article up to this point, you have the necessary ambition and discipline.
This gives you the best conditions to successfully treat warts on your feet, hands or other parts of your body. Our foot bath salt is just as useful as our Feet Care Spray and the Wart Care Pen as valuable support.
FAQ
Can warts go away on their own?
Under favorable conditions, warts go away on their own. However, this depends largely on the type of wart and your immune system. It can take up to a year to completely get rid of the warts without appropriate measures.
How long does it take for a wart to go away?
There is no general answer to how long it takes for a wart to go away. It depends on the type of virus.
Are warts contagious?
Most warts (except age warts) are contagious.
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