Warts on kids

WITH IRENE VERGOS FROM DIRECT CHEMIST OUTLET

If a wart shows up on your child’s hands, fingers or feet, don’t be too alarmed.

Warts are generally harmless and most people will have one at some point in their lives. Although they can affect people at any age, warts are most common amongst children and teenagers, with some estimates suggesting that up to one in five children have warts.

What are warts?

Warts (verrucae) are small, rough, firm patches on the skin, that are caused by a virus known as the human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV virus loves warm, moist environments and usually enters into the skin through a crack or tiny scratch. Once the virus has entered the skin, it can cause extra cell growth, making the outer layer of the skin thick and hard in that spot.

Warts can spread from person to person either by direct skin-to-skin contact or indirectly through places such as swimming pools or public showers. Picking or scratching may also lead to the spreading of warts on the same person.

Although warts are highly contagious, each person’s immune system responds differently to the virus. Not everyone that comes into contact with the HPV will get a wart. Children and teens are more susceptible to getting warts, as they are often more likely to be exposed to the virus through environments such as swimming pools and schools. Additionally, their immune systems may not have developed a defence against this type of virus.

When should you see your doctor or pharmacist?

In children, without treatment, half of all warts disappear within six months and almost all warts will go away within two years. Hence, doctors and dermatologists often prefer to adopt a watch-and see-approach rather than recommend a treatment straight away. Such an approach, however, is not always possible and if your child’s warts are causing pain or embarrassment, there are treatment options available at your local pharmacy or from a GP. No single treatment is guaranteed to work, and many require a few attempts.

The most common treatment options used for warts include cryotherapy, which involves freezing the wart by applying liquid nitrogen, or by applying a gel or paint containing the chemical salicylic acid, which is toxic to warts. The treatment of choice will depend on how long your child has had the wart, where the wart is located, what type of wart your child has and how many warts are growing. Speak to your local Direct Chemist Outlet Pharmacist for advice on suitable wart treatments for your child.

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