Moles & Warts

Moles and warts are skin markings that are often unwanted and unsightly. 

Moles are often not as bad as Warts but are simply darkened skin pigment that most people simply live with. Moles on the other hand are skin infections that come from specific wart viruses and are generally much uglier than moles.

Warts in particular are a rough, rather dry lesions of the skin that can occur on any part of the body and in some cases they can occur on the lips or inside the mouth.

As any virus disease, warts are contagious, if the other person is susceptible to the virus. Genital warts are contagious.

There are 4 basic types of warts:

The Common Wart
 This is a growth that  appears as a rough-surfaced, flesh toned skin projection  that will gradually grow in size if not treated.   The most common places for these warts to appear are on the fingers and hands.  

The Flat Wart
These flesh-colored warts are small, smooth but just slightly raised.

The Plantars Wart
This wart grows on the bottom of the feet and resembles a rough callus. It can become very tender because it typically appears on the sole of the foot that carries most of your weight.  

The Genital Wart
These warts appear as small pinkish growths usually in the anal or vaginal area or on the penis.  They can be spread with close contact such as sexual relations. 

No one likes having warts, they're ugly and embarrassing.  The good news is that many warts simply disappear on their own within a few years.  Employing preventative Skin Care for Warts is always a good idea.

Warts that need to be treated can be done in a doctor's office or  with topical anti-wart solutions, gels, and patches can be purchased without prescription at any pharmacy.   Most dermatologists prefer to use liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery) because the procedure is quite effective, can be rapidly performed, and does not involve injection of a local anesthetic.

Unfortunately Plantar warts are hard to get rid of .  Surgical treatments can be performed but they often leave ugly scarring. 

Genital warts can be treated in a doctor's office however it's important to note that genital warts  have  been linked to also been linked to cervical cancer.  Any woman exposed to the genital wart virus should consult with her doctor about and should be vigilant about having  Pap exams done yearly. 

A vaccine that prevents the wart virus linked to cervical cancer is Gardasil and is approved for girls and women aged 9 to 26. 

Moles on the other hand are abnormal cells of dark pigmented skin.  Most of them develop from sun  exposure. Most  moles appear during the first 10-20 years of life, although they may continue to develop into the 30s and 40s. 

Moles can be a little disturbing because if you have many of them on your body they can be an indication that you are susceptible to melanoma or skin cancer, so using sunscreen and watching how much time you are in the sun is important. 

If your moles change in size or color be sure to watch them carefully and consult your dermatologist.

Moles and warts are never pleasant and there are many ways to remedy them, in particular a removing moles and warts naturally.