Warts on Face

What is the Cause of Warts?

     Warts are actually caused by viruses in the HPV or Human Papillomavirus Family, and there are more than 100 types of HPV viruses.  Warts can grow on all parts of your body, including your face, inside your mouth, hands and fingers, and even your genitals.  Some people tend to be particularly susceptible to getting warts.

Can Warts Be Passed to Others?

     Warts can be passed to others whan another person touches the warts.  One can also get warts from using clothing, towels, or other objects that were used by the person with warts.  Genital warts are especially contagious and can be passed during oral, vaginal or anal sex.  A woman can have warts inside the vagina and not know she has them.

Can Warts be Treated?

     Warts can be bothersome to people and sometimes embarrassing, especially if they are on your face.  Warts can also bleed and can spread.  Treatment of warts may deecrease the chance that they will spread to other areas or to other people.

How are Warts Removed?

     First, of all, none of these treatments should be done with genital warts.  Also, for facial warts, you need to speak to your doctor first before determining a treatment.  The skin of your face is very sensitive and fragile, and you certainly don't want to do anything that may backfire.

     One way to treat warts is by applying salicylic acid.  This form of treatment involves applying the acid to the wart every day for many weeks.  After taking a shower or bath, it is necessary to first pat your skin dry with a towel, and then put salicylic acid on the warts.  The acid will actually work better when it is applied to damp skin.  The following day, before taking a shower or bath, you need to use a pumice stone or an emery board to file the dead wart cells away.

     A second way to treat warts if to apply cantharidin.  The doctor will apply this chemical to the wart.  If you try this treatment, you can expect to feel some pain and blistering of the wart in 3 to 8 hours.  After the treatment, place a bandage over the wart, and the bandage can be removed after 24 hours.  When you go back to check in with your doctor, he or she will remove the dead skin from off of the wart.  If the wart is still there, you may need another treatment.

     A third way of treating warts is to apply liquid nitrogen.  Your doctor may use this treatment, called cryotherapy to freeze the wart.  It is relatively painles.  You may need these treatments every 1 to 3 weeks for a total of 2 to 4 times.  Again, if there is no improvement, the doctor may recommend another type of treatment.

       Other wart treatments include burning the wart, cutting out the wart, or removing it with a laser.  Be aware that these treatments may leave a scar.  These treatments are typically only used when other treatments have failed.