Warts & Verrucas

Regrettably, warts are not the sole preserve of fairy-tale witches and goblins.  In fact, they are an extremely common skin condition that can affect anyone at any age. They are contagious but completely harmless, growing on the skin or mucous membranes such as the nostrils.  A wart affects only the top layers of the skin (it has not roots, seeds, or branches) and so, in theory, it should be possible to remove it with no more than a little discomfort.

Caused by the human papilloma virus H.P.V. (of which there are 70 different types, although not all are associated with warts), there are at least 30 different types of warts which can affect various parts of the body, principally the hands, face, neck, and genitals.  Common warts, which are particularly prevalent in young children, are firm, sharply defined and usually round, although some are irregular in shape. They range in hue from flesh-coloured to brown, and can be anything up to ¼ inch (6mm) in diameter, often with a rough surface.  Common warts usually appear on parts of the body that are prone to injury, such as the hands, face, knees, and scalp.

Also common on the wrists, backs of hands and the face are flat warts, so names because they are flat-topped. They can be itchy but you should try to resist the temptation to scratch, since it is scratching that causes the virus to spread, leading to the appearance of more warts.

As you get older, you may discover small, finger-like growths, sometimes dark in colour, growing on your face, neck, or arms. These are completely harmless and are known as digitate or filoform warts.

The bane of the public swimming pool communal changing rooms, plantar warts, commonly called veruccas, are simply flat warts which occur on the soles of the feet.  They don’t look like the flat warts you might find elsewhere on the body because they have become flattened by the pressure exerted on them. In fact, this prevents them from growing outwards and forces them inwards, which can make them more painful.  They appear hard and horny to the touch. Veruccas sometimes occur singly, sometimes in clusters.

In spite of being classified as a sexually transmitted disease, genital warts are part of the same harmless family of growths. They are transmitted by sexual contact and can appear anything p to 18 months after infection, emerging as extensive, pink, cauliflower-like areas on the genitals.  Since there have been links with genital warts and cases of cervical cancer, women affected by genital warts should be particularly careful about keeping up-to-date with smear tests.

THE ORTHODOX APPROACH

In about 50 percent of cases warts disappear of their own accord within 6-12 months. If they persist, common, flat, and plantar warts can be treated by applying a chemical liquid or special plaster.  Several treatments may be needed before the wart disappears and, like the proverbial bad penny, they sometimes return.   Warts are also commonly treated by cryosurgery.  (Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the wart solid.  As it thaws, a blister forms lifting the wart off).  They can also be cut out using electro-cautery, curettage, or laser treatment and, specifically for plantar warts, salicylic acid plasters may be used.  Surgery or applications of podophyllin are usually the options for removing genital warts.

THE HALE APPROACH

External warts in areas that are not liable to be disfiguring can be treated by complementary therapies effectively and with safety. Internal warts such as bowel polyps or cervical warts must be dealt with by an orthodox practitioner.  Genital warts should also be monitored by a physician or specialist.  For these latter cases surgical treatment may be required and complementary therapy before, during and after the operation is highly recommended.

The obvious external treatment for warts and veruccas is chiropody.  However, if a patient wants to approach the problem internally and get at the root cause, then homeopathy or acupuncture can be very effective, with hypnotherapy, flower remedies and aromatherapy as support treatments.

CHIROPODY

Not all veruccas are the same, varying from single growths to clusters of warts through to mosaic types of veruccas which can be quite large.  As such, the choice of treatment a chiropodist might apply will vary according to the individual patient and to the type of verucca they present.

Cryosurgery is perhaps best suited to new growths, whereas chemical treatment (solutions of salicylic acid in varying strengths, monochloroacetic acid – sometimes used in it crystal form and rubbed on the area – or trichlorocetic acid) is more widely used.  Chemical treatment does not actually destroy the verucca; rather it changes the condition of the surrounding skin so that the virus can no longer survive there.  However, strong chemical treatment does not suit everyone – anyone who suffers from diabetes or poor circulation is advised against it.

Many people report that their veruccas clear up after a beach holiday, where the combined effects of salt water and sand are of great benefit. Other home treatments occasionally recommended by chiropodists include bathing the feet nightly in a saturated solution of vinegar and salt; or applying garlic paste every few days, then rubbing the area with a pumice stone and reapplying the garlic paste.  Unfortunately, veruccas have a habit of apparently clearing up completely and then, when you think it’s safe to go back in the water, reappearing having lain dormant for some time. So be vigilant.  More about chiropody...

HOMEOPATHY

The homeopathic approach aims to treat the whole person and the underlying causes of a problem rather than its physical manifestation. Warts are caused by a viral infection, H.P.V., and so this, and any other reasons for disharmony or imbalance in the body, are matched to corresponding remedies that will enhance the body’s ability to fight the H.P.V. itself. The most commonly used remedy is Thuja, which has a deep acting effect and can be applied locally as a tincture or cerate, or taken internally. More about homeopathy...

ACUPUNCTURE

In traditional Chinese medicine the skin is related to the lungs and the spleen, so treatment is given both at points surrounding the wart(s) and at points on the governor, spleen, and stomach meridians, as these points are believed to be anti-inflammatory and to stimulate the immune system. More about acupuncture...

SUPPORTIVE TREATMENT

While in hypnotic state the sufferer is given suggestions that the warts are gradually losing their food supply, fading away and eventually dropping off.

SELF-CARE

Flower Remedies

“Pansy (Pegasus FES) is great for warts”, says one flower therapist.  “They just drop off and disappear”. Spinefex (Australian Bush) and K9 (Andreas Korte, African Essence) are also good for warts.

Aromatherapy

Onion and garlic oils can be highly effective, but are often taken in capsule form because of their strong aroma. However, raw, chopped onion or garlic applied regularly as an overnight compress has also been successful in removing warts. For persistent warts, a combination of garlic, lemon oil, Thymus linalool and Origanum compactum may be applied directly to the wart twice a day with Q-tip.