Dr Gauri's
Skin & Hair Clinic
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About Warts :

Warts are benign (not cancerous) skin growths that appear when a virus infects the top layer of the skin. Viruses that cause warts are called human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts are often skin-colored and feel rough, but they can be dark (brown or gray-black), flat, and smooth. 

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Who can get  :

Some people are more prone to getting a wart virus (HPV) than others. These people are:
 

• Children and teens.

• People who bite their nails or pick at hangnails.

• People with a weakened immune system (the body’s defense system).​

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Causes :

• Viruses called human papillomavirus (HPV) cause warts.

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Types :

​There are a few different types of warts. The type is determined by where it grows on the body and what it looks like. 

• Common warts

1. Grow most often on the fingers, around the nails, and on the backs of the hands.​

2. Most often feel like rough bumps.

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• Foot warts (also called plantar warts)

1. Grow most often on the soles (plantar surface) of the feet.

2. Often are flat or grow inward (walking creates pressure, which causes the warts to grow inward).

3. Can hurt, feels like you have pebbles in your shoe.

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• Flat warts 

1. Can occur anywhere. Children usually get them on the face. Men get these most often in the beard area, and women tend to get them on their legs.

2. Are smaller and smoother than other warts.

3. Tend to grow in large numbers — 20 to 100 at a time.

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• Filiform warts

1. Looks like long threads or thin fingers that stick out.

2. Often grows on the face: around the mouth, eyes, and nose.

3. Often grow quickly.

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WARTS: Tips for Managing

• Always consult a Dermatologist.

• Do not pick or scratch at warts.

• Wear flip-flops or pool shoes in public showers, locker rooms, and pool areas.

• Do not touch someone’s wart.

• Keep foot warts dry, as moisture tends to allow warts to spread.

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Myths v/s reality

• Acne is not just limited to teenagers, adults can experience it too.

• Touching/squeezing/self handling of acne is not the solution as it leads to scarring and pigmentation.