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Warts In History

It was not until 1950 that it became widely accepted that warts were caused by a virus. The acknowledgment of this fact only came after it was proven by particles of the virus being visible with an electron microscope. Prior to that time, the fact was considered to be nothing more than a theory, even when evidenced by such experiences as that of Dr. Joseph Payne at the end of the nineteenth century. After acquiring warts from treating a patient without using sterile precautions, Dr. Payne theorized that warts are contagious and easily transmittable from one person to another. Scientific proof was necessary before this theory was accepted.

As warts have been around since the beginning of recorded history, so too have the theories of their cause and outrageous attempts at cures. The mummified remains of an Egyptian court musician shows how far back in time warts have been an annoyance to people. The approximate range in time was around 2400-2300 B.C.

While obviously people did not have scientific knowledge, many did believe that warts had some kind of contagious nature to them. Cauterization was attempted as a cure for warts dating as far back as ancient medical texts. Although not a physician, during the time period of approximately 14-34 A.D. Aulus Cornelius Celsus described potential treatments for warts in his text “De Medicina” (On Medicine). The knowledge of warts as a sexually-transmitted disease goes as far back as the Greek and Roman physicians.

Throughout history, knowledge and theory have mixed together for some rather unusual treatment methods. Attempts to remove warts have ranged from the pointless to the bizarre, and included nearly every possibility in between. One of the first known methods of wart removal was in ancient Rome, where an unnamed individual chewed these growths off people’s fingers and feet.

In medieval times, a preferred method for getting rid of warts was spider webs. Still later, people used a method of ashes and pig feces. Later yet, some believed that to cover a wart with a portion of a rotting, dead mouse would aid in clearing up warts. Sir Francis Bacon claimed that he was able to cure warts with melted pig’s fat. It can be assumed that none of these methods were helpful in getting rid of warts. However, King Henry VIII of England granted legal status to anyone who wished to employ odd techniques for wart removal.

In the scientific and medical arenas, the correlation between sexually-transmitted warts and a virual cause began to become acknowledged in the 1920s. This correlation was not fully accepted until a study began in 1954, based on American military who had served in the Korean war bringing genital warts back to the United States and transmitting them to their wives.

Warts – Causes And Prevention

Warts are an ongoing problem for many people of all ages. They can go beyond being just a minor annoyance, sometimes resulting in much more serious health implications. Warts can be spread to other people, causing them to become infected with the virus. And some types of warts can be deadly. Taking all of these factors into consideration, it is a good idea to know what causes warts and methods you can take to minimize your risk of getting them. If you have already acquired warts, it is equally important if not more so, to lessen the chance of transmitting them to other people. The best precaution you can take is to be armed with the facts.

Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus. So far, more than eighty different kinds of this virus have been identified. The various forms affect various parts of the body. The incubation period between when a person becomes infected and when an outbreak occurs also varies. The warts are easily transmittable from one person to another, and can also be transmitted from one part of the body to another area. Factors which determine a person’s likelihood of becoming infected include the state of the person’s immune system, the degree of virus that is present in the warts, the location of the warts, and the degree of contact.

Although it is often difficult or even impossible to prevent infection, there are some measures you can take to lessen this risk. If you already have one or more warts, it is important to prevent them from spreading. You should try to avoid touching the wart, for it can lead to the virus being spread to other areas you may touch afterward. You should avoid using other people’s towels and washcloths if they have not been cleaned. You should avoid wearing other people’s shoes. In locations where the virus might be present, you should make a point of wearing shoes to prevent indirect contact with infected surfaces. These factors will greatly reduce your risk of acquiring the virus associated with all forms of warts.

In addition, there are special factors associated with genital warts, which are the most serious and potentially deadly. These warts, which are a prime factor in cervical cancer, are spread by sexual contact. The risk of these warts and the cancer which results from them is highest in people who have multiple sexual partners. Although it is not as widely known as it should be, while having multiple partners increases the risk of coming in contact with a person who already has this infection, it has also been shown that having multiple partners alters one’s own natural levels of bacteria and will make you more susceptible to the virus. Not having multiple sexual partners is the most sound way to lessen your risk of acquiring genital warts. Those who already have them can also spread them by touch or by sharing infected washcloths and towels.

Currently, there are issues about a vaccine called Gardasil. This vaccine is proported to protect against four of the strains of Human Papilloma Virus which account for ninety percent of genital warts. Although this vaccine is not far beyond the testing stage, making the risk factors of the vaccine itself debatable, some locations are recommending it for young children. Some states are attempting to mandate this vaccine for little girls. In addition to the fact that the risk factors of the vaccine have not yet been adequately tested, the main issue being debated is whether giving elementary-school-aged children a vaccine to prevent a sexually-transmitted disease will lead many children and adolescents to believe it is okay to become sexually active and engage in a promiscuous lifestyle.

Warts And The Immune System

It makes sense that some of the risk factors for acquiring warts can be easily controlled. Simply avoiding contact with those who are already infected with warts is the most logical step to aid in not contracting warts. Not using personal items which belong to infected individuals, and taking precautions while in public areas that may contain the infection are also helpful safeguards. But while those who do not have an adequate immune system are much more likely to develop warts, this is a factor which can be aided in many cases.

Although persons who have medical conditions which negatively affect the immune system do not have much recourse, the majority of healthy people do have the ability to take steps to keep their immune systems at peak state. If one’s immune system is safeguarded, this one factor alone will go a long way in preventing warts. It is unlikely that many people consider their immune system as something over which they have control, but basic good health practices are the strongest influencing factors. Stick to a healthy lifestyle, and you will be much less likely to develop warts.

You may not initially realize the correlation between your diet and warts. You may also not consider your sleep patterns to be a factor. Both are related, because both play an important role in keeping your immune system strong and healthy. If you do not have a proper diet, this will compromise your immune system. In addition, studies have shown that specific dietary deficiencies, such as the lack of adequate potassium, greatly increase a person’s risk of warts.

It is much better to adhere to a healthy diet than to be in the position of having to deal with warts after they occur. It is important to keep in mind that one’s dietary practices have a dual role first, in keeping the immune system strong in general, and also to not end up with the potassium deficiencies that increase your risk of warts.

A proper amount of sleep on a regular basis is also very important in preventing warts. Frequent lack of sleep also undermines the immune system. A weak immune system will open you up to a wide range of potential health problems, and the various types of warts is one of the most immediate and visible.

If you add together the factors of diet and sleep, you will have the two main factors which determine the state of your immune system. For a person who is otherwise healthy, free of any serious medical complications, both of these factors should be easily within your control. To exercise good judgment with nutrition and rest will be one of the most significant factors in preventing warts.

If you do not have a proper diet, or do not get enough sleep on a regular basis, you can lessen your risk of acquiring warts by addressing these problems. To make some positive changes in your lifestyle to reflect more healthy patterns will benefit you in many ways, both currently and in the long-run. Making you less likely to develop warts is just one of the benefits.

Types Of Warts

Most people know that warts exist, and are quite troublesome, but not everyone knows that there are a number of varieties of warts. While they all have the same options for treatment, it is helpful to be aware of the different types, as well as their probability for occurrence. In being armed with this information, one is better able to recognize them and make an informed decision about the most suitable treatments.

Plantar warts are the kind of warts you are most likely to find on the soles of your feet. Plantar warts get their name from the plantar surface, which is the sole of the foot. When plantar warts appear in clusters, they are known as mosaic warts. But whether a cluster occurs or only one, they frequently appear small while in fact the majority of the wart is grown under the skin. The reason for this is that pressure on the foot from walking and other normal activities causes a large part of the wart to remain inside. In plantar warts there is usually a visible black dot; this is the blood supply to the warts. It can become quite painful to walk when one has plantar warts; the added pressure from wearing shoes often intensifies this discomfort.

Periungual warts are the warts which appear near the nails. These warts can range from aggravating to very painful. Periungual warts should be treated as soon as possible, or they can cause even more damage. Left untreated, the virus that caused the wart can enter the nail and cause the nail to become deformed. It can also cause the nail to develop a fungal infection. While periungual warts are most often found on toenails, they can also occur on the fingernails. Periungual warts should be treated as soon as they occur and are noticeable.

Flat warts are those which usually occur on the face in children, and in shaved areas such as legs and face in adults. They often appear in clusters. Flat warts are inclined to spread if they are not removed; but they may reappear after treatment due to the fact that the virus is still there. Although this particular type can be mistaken for other skin conditions, like any other kind of warts they are very contagious. Flat warts can be spread from contact with the infected person’s skin, or by using towels or other personal items.

Common warts, or seed warts, usually appear on the fingers, toes, and knees. Seed warts are most prevalent in older people. This type of wart is found on the upper body and face. Over-exposure to the sun increases the likelihood of seed warts; heredity also plays a role in getting this particular type of wart. The surrounding blood vessels give this type of wart its black appearance; this visible black spot is the reason why these common warts are frequently referred to as seed warts.

Genital warts are a form of sexually-transmitted disease. Approximately forty million people in the United States are currently infected with genital warts, and the numbers of diagnosed cases are increasing. They are extremely contagious, and they are spread by sexual activity. There are more than thirty different types of warts that are in this category. The Human Papilloma Virus which causes genital warts is the primary factor in causing cervical cancer. It is estimated that nearly four thousand women in the United States will die from this disease in 2007.