Health Conditions from A to Z

Warts

Warts are contagious skin tumors (benign or noncancerous), "bumps," or "growths" that are caused by viruses.

Symptoms
Warts can occur singly or in clusters. Their appearance and size varies tremendously depending on where they erupt on the body and the degree of irritation or trauma they receive through daily wear of the skin. Warts usually disappear on their own, without any treatment, within several months. However, in some individuals, they may continue for years or reoccur at the same or different parts of the body.

Note
Some warts can turn into cancerous tumors. If they do not seem benign, consult with a physician immediately.

Types
There are various types of warts. The most common common wart is known as Verrucae vulgaris. It presents as a well-defined, rough-surfaced, roundish or irregular growth that is light gray, brown, grayish-black, or yellow, and is usually firm to the touch. It most commonly appears on the knees, elbows, fingers, face, and scalp.

Periungual warts occur around the nail beds.

Plantar warts occur on the sole of the foot, are very common, and often appear flattened due to the pressure of walking on them. When there are several plantar warts close together, they form a plague-like appearance called mosaic warts.

Pedunculated warts are stalk-like and are common with age. They most commonly occur around the neck, chest, face, scalp, and armpits.

Genital warts appear on or around the genitalia and are highly contagious.

Causes

Warts are caused by any of 35 viruses and are often a consequence of poor diet and nutrition, poor hygiene, and, in the cases of genital warts, unprotected sex. Warts also become more common as a consequence of aging with corresponding diminished immune function.

Self-Care Tips

Natural healing of warts may require one to two months of care, with the wart disappearing suddenly in one to three days.

Aromatherapy
Lemon essential oil applied topically can speed healing. Thuja oil is also effective for dealing with warts.

Diet
Eat an organic, whole foods diet, emphasizing foods that are high in vitamin A, such as dark green and yellow vegetables, cold-water fish, and eggs, and sulfur, such as onions, garlic, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and broccoli. Avoid all refined and processed foods, sugar, unhealthy fats, and excess animal proteins, as well as milk and dairy products.

Herbs
Apply the milky latex from the stem of dandelions to the wart each morning and night.

Homeopathy
Useful homeopathic remedies include Thuja, Causticum, Calc carb., Ruta grav., and Graphites.

Nutritional Supplementation
Recommended nutrients include vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, garlic capsules, and L-cysteine. A solution of garlic oil, vitamin E, castor oil, and zinc oxide cream can also be applied topically to warts.

Caution

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