Category: General Health

Famous Warts

Average people consider warts to be unsightly, embarrassing, and something to remove as quickly and painlessly as possible. Famous people do not always see the subject the same way. Some may simply not think warts to be a problem. Others may actually consider them to be a unique part of who they are.

Oliver Cromwell was one of the most well-known historical figures. Although fans of history and politics are divided in their opinions as to whether he was actually a hero or a ruthless dictator, he is equally if not more well-known for his request for his portrait to be painted “warts and all.” Cromwell’s death mask also contains his clearly-visible warts.

Oddly enough, many people who have no interest in the history of Britain are familiar with Cromwell’s alleged quote. The quote itself continues to be widely-used, even by the many who have no knowledge of its source. “Warts and all” is a common phrase, meaning to take one exactly as he is, his imperfections included.

In more modern days, while celebrities may not consider their warts to be their claim-to-fame, the subject of their warts gives many something to comment on some more positive than others. Long-time popular movie star Robert DeNiro, while not in the media nearly as much as he used to be, is occasionally brought up by fans and non-fans alike, remarking about his quite visible wart.

While it is doubtful that not having a wart removed is due to a desire for publicity, Mr. DeNiro’s wart gains publicity nonetheless. Movie star magazines and everyday “bloggers” all talk about Robert DeNiro’s wart.

On female celebrities, warts today seem to be what moles were in the past often passed off as a sign of “beauty.” Fans may or may not agree with this point of view.

Another widely-publicized wart is that which belonged to Elvis Presley. The story is that it was removed by a doctor prior to Elvis’s military service. The fact that a world-famous singer’s wart was preserved, and is still in existence thirty years after his death, says less about the scientific possibilities necessary for such preservation than it does about many Americans’ unquenchable thirst for the odd and the outrageous.

Perhaps an attempt to understand it all can be traced back to Oliver Cromwell. Perhaps ordinary, everyday people have a need to see “the famous” as less than perfect, as having flaws just like everyone else. Everybody, from the famous to the average, has some type of “wart.” It is certainly a better explanation than the other logical possibility that many people simply are intrigued by the macabre.

Do Animals Get Warts?

Not only are various animals capable of getting warts, the often do. In some types of animals, warts can be deadly. One of the main examples of how warts can affect a non-human species is that of the turtle. In recent years, studies have been conducted to research the causes and effects of warts on certain types of turtles.

The findings are startling. A virus called fibropapillomatosis is the contributing factor. Unlike the warts found in humans, which are generally located in the epidermis, the warts which affect these turtles spread throughout their bodies. The warts are then capable of obstructing the turtle’s internal organs. This then can cause the turtle to die, either from starvation from being unable to see or swim properly, or from other bacterial infections. There has been a steady decrease in the population of sea turtles; the warts which affect their bodies is the primary reason for this.

In dogs, the virus which causes warts is the canine viral papillomas. Unless a dog’s warts become infected, the general rule is to leave the warts undisturbed, as they usually disappear with time. A dog’s warts are rarely a problem unless they are located about the mouth or other area which is sensitive and prone to bacteria and moisture. In some instances, a dog will require antibiotics. In dogs, warts usually appear in clusters, rather than as individual warts.

Dogs acquire warts in the manner similar to how humans get warts they contract them from other dogs who already have them. Canine warts can only be be spread amongst dogs. They pose no risk to other types of animals, nor can people contract warts from their dogs.

Warts are less common in cats, but they do sometimes occur. Older cats are the most prone to contracting warts. Removal is not generally indicated unless the wart becomes infected. There is more danger in the wart becoming infected through the cat’s scratching or other activity than by the wart’s state itself. These warts also are not transmittable to humans.

Cows can contract warts. In cattle, the term for warts is infectious papillomatosis, which refers to the papillomatomavirus which causes them. In cows, warts are not usually serious and eventually disappear, but they are highly contagious. When cows have warts, isolating them from other cattle is important. It has not yet been determined whether either this virus being present in a cow or the antibiotics given to clear it up have an effect on the safety of its milk.

Warts are the easiest way of determining whether a specific amphibian is a frog or a toad. Although there is quite a large variety of these creatures, by first appearance they have much in common. This amphibian has legs, but no tail; but the way to know for certain which type it is is whether or not it has warts. All types of toads have warts; no type of frog has them. Contrary to folk stories, the “warts” which are on toads are not related to the virus which causes warts in humans.

Contracting Warts: The Basics

How likely are you to acquire warts? Do you know the answer to that question? If not, you can get an estimated answer by assessing your own personal risk factors. Never mind statistics; instead, simply get a clear picture on how this subject relates to you and to your lifestyle. After doing so, you can decide whether you wish to take the steps necessary in order to decrease your risk. Prevention is more sensible than treating warts after one already has them; and knowing where you yourself stand is the best defense.

One of the most annoying forms of warts are plantar warts. Assuming you probably do not wish to find out exactly how troublesome they actually are, you can simply take some measures to safeguard yourself against these pesky warts. As the usual way in which a person contracts plantar warts is by having one’s bare feet come in contact with infected surfaces, you can greatly reduce your chance of getting plantar warts by wearing protective covering when in public areas where the virus is likely to be present. Not wearing someone else’s shoes or socks is also a good preventative measure. Some products designed especially for foot and shoe care contain the type of disinfectant which will kill the wart-producing virus on these surfaces; others do not. Check the label on the products you wish to use to see if this is included.

One of the main factors which contribute to seed warts is direct sunlight. Although it is rare for young people to acquire this type of wart, the potential for it increases with age. In addition to exercising common sense in limiting your exposure to the sun for reasons such as avoiding skin cancer, it will also go a long way in helping you to not acquire seed warts when you are older. The more time you spend in the sun on an everyday basis, and the longer you do so, the more likely you are to eventually have seed warts as a result.

Genital warts are spread by sexual contact. Although it is possible to contract them from an infected partner, the two main factors assessed as being most relevant are sexual activity at a young age, and having multiple partners. These factors are generally within one’s own control, and therefore it is not difficult to both assess one’s degree of risk and alter one’s own lifestyle to reduce the risk.

As a compromised immune system places a person at a much higher risk of contracting warts due to having a lesser immunity against the virus which causes them, Although those who have serious medical problems which affect the immune system do not have as much control over it, the average person who is in good health does. The simple basics of having a healthy diet and getting a proper amount of sleep are well within the range of most people’s capabilities; and these two basics are two of the strongest contributing factors in gaining and keeping the immune system functioning at its best.

Most warts can be spread by a healthy person using personal items of an infected person, such as towels, washcloths, and intimate clothing. In most cases you have the option of either making sure such items are clean and sterile, or else to not use them at all.

Checking to see which risk factors are relevant to you is the first step in determining how likely you may be to contract warts. The next step is to turn that awareness into action, and reduce your risk.

A Look At People And Warts

Warts are a problem for anyone who has them. While there is a range of difficulty in terms of type, location, and other factors, there is also the factor that warts in general can affect people differently. Age, gender, lifestyle all of these factors figure in to exactly how distressful warts can be to a particular person. Understanding this can assist you in better understanding the people themselves who are dealing with this problem.

Teenagers and young adults who have acquired warts are likely to be much more bothered by them than the rest of the population. In addition to having to deal with the warts themselves, teens will also consider it to be a social issue. Most young people will fear being stigmatized by their peers because of unsightly, contagious warts. This fact can actually be a trauma to many young people. While assisting the teenager in getting his or her warts removed, the emotional implications of having visible warts should not be dismissed. Such concerns should not be treated lightly, for peer approval is one of the most important parts of life for people in this age group.

Younger children who have warts may also fear ridicule from their peers. Warts may cause children to be scorned by their own friends, and also play a part in being bullied by other children. For children, anything that is different, much less also unsightly, stands to make him a target for bullies. The warts themselves are usually less of a problem for a child than this factor. In addition to the factors of the child’s own health, and of not spreading the warts to other people, getting the warts removed as soon as possible is also important to avoid undue embarrassment for the child. Tending to a young child’s health means tending to his sensitivity when helping him deal with warts.

For adults whose lifestyle includes dating, warts can pose a special aggravation. When meeting new people, and when one is just beginning to get to know a potential mate, having unsightly warts is certainly not an asset. In this day and age where many seem to have the theory that whatever one’s natural state may include, one will be accepted for both the better and the worse, this attitude generally is not based on fact. People are expected to present themselves at their best, and neglecting to do what it takes to look one’s best is considered to be a sign of not caring about either oneself or the impression that one gives to others. A person’s physical appearance really does count. Sometimes it is not feasible to have warts removed immediately; but displaying an careless attitude toward warts on one’s skin is generally as much of a turn-off as refusing to use a toothbrush.

Other men and women may see the subject of warts differently. Even if they are in a position of not needing to consider anyone’s opinion but their own, there is still the matter of presenting a nice appearance in one’s everyday interactions on the job, and with friends and family. The other matters to consider are one’s health, and the discomfort caused by some types of warts. While youngsters are more inclined to worry about peer approval, adult men and women are more concerned about problems such as extreme discomfort from walking with plantar warts, or aggravating warts which are on the hands by doing work which involves the hands. Working out at the gym, or using public pools and showers, all present the opportunity for warts and their infections to spread to other people.

Everyone who has warts dislikes them but for different reasons.