The appearance of warts, albeit irritating, are said to be harmless growths on the skin. Before I’ve learned about warts, I thought they were caused by frogs first, but that’s not until I reached fourth grade and experienced warts myself. I had to hide it from everyone’s sight out of fear that they might tease me for it. It wasn’t because of frogs, though. And that’s when I came to question things, like, where does this whole frog-transmitting-warts assumption came from? where do we really get warts from? and why do we get warts underarms too if assumption about frogs were true? (I’m sure they haven’t smelled mine!) Have you given it a thought, as well? Read on to figure out!
Warts are one of the most common skin condition that are usually harmless, but contagious, caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Armpits aren’t the common spots for warts. They usually go away on its own, but you can get rid of armpit warts yourself through variety of home remedies and conventional treatments effective for warts removal. Take note of the preventative measures too!
WHAT ARE WARTS?
Warts, a dermatological condition, are harmless growth on skin, commonly white, pink, or tan in color. Hands and fingers are the most common spot for warts, that’s reasonable since we always use both of our hands to touch things. If you’re curious to what warts feel like, well, they’re unlikely rough. I had a tough experience when I’ve had warts on my right palm for the first time. (Yes, it happened to me thrice!) I even peeled my wart off, causing it to spread more. You might notice tiny black dots, as well, upon peeling them off. They look like a dirt, but don’t worry, they were clotted blood vessel. (or you should slightly worry, too.) This is contagious!
WHAT CAUSES WARTS?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is what causes warts. It causes the protein keratin to develop on the surface of the skin, in short, warts are like an excess caused by a virus. It’s not really harmful, but it’s better to consult your doctor if you find it painful.
HPV is also the most common sexually transmitted infection. It’s often harmless and usually get rid of itself in time, maybe after months or a year, but some can actually lead to a more serious health condition, like cancer and genital warts.
I’d be honest that reading this information for the first time got me thinking for a while, like… I had warts not only once, so how come? So, I did further research about it and found out that, of course, sexual intercourse is not the only way a virus could spread.
There’s so much things to consider, like:
1. Touch
Why do you think warts commonly occur on our hands and fingers? It’s because the virus can actually be transmitted through the sense of touch.
2. In contact with warts
If you know someone who has warts on their hands or anywhere in the body, refrain yourself from touching it despite being overly curious about them. Especially, if you have cuts or low immune system. That will only make the spread of the virus easier.
3. Peeling off warts
If you, unfortunately, already have a wart. Don’t ever try to peel it off. The cut will only make the transmittion of the virus easier. I’ve done it myself and instead of getting one wart, I had four warts on my palm. Some went away on its own. We performed the easiest remedy we know to get rid of the the last tough wart who failed to disappear on its own.
4. In contact with objects
This is one of the main reason why we always have to practice personal hygiene. There are objects that a person with warts might’ve held before you. If you have a weakened immune system or a cut, you might be at risk of developing warts on hands. This goes to your armpit, feet, and other parts of the body too.
5. Cuts or wound
Like, what I’ve mentioned above, you’re more prone to warts if you have cuts. Make sure to treat your wounds and cover them with bandage.
6. Weakened immune system
If you have low immune system, you might be at risk of warts, as well. Virus always attack those with weakened immune system. I’m a living proof of that statement. I have weak immune system and that made me an easy target of virus. That’s maybe the main reason to why I’ve had warts more than once already. Make sure to eat healthy. Live a healthy lifestyle. And don’t forget to practice personal hygiene. Take note that someone’s personal hygiene might not be the main cause behind their warts, but it’s always a factor. So, if you wished to prevent warts from occurring, then start it with your personal hygiene. Bring hand sanitizers wherever you go!
WHY DO WE GET WARTS UNDERARMS?
Weird enough, why do we get warts underarms if none really had in contact with them other than our own hands, razor, and other armpit-related products?
1. Warts on hands
Look at your own hands. Do you have any warts? If yes, that surely is the reason why warts started appearing on your armpits too.
2. Razor burn
If you have no warts on hands and other parts of the body that could possibly be in contact with your armpits, then look at your armpits next. Do you frequently shave your underarms? Did you recently experience razor burn out of shaving? Look for the lumps too and check if those were normal lumps or a wart already. Be reminded that you can get the virus from an object too, razor for example, especially easier if you have razor burn underarms.
3. Deodorant or antiperspirant
Do you share your deodorant with perhaps, a significant other? siblings? or just anyone at home? Deodorant or antiperspirant might be a way to transmit HPV underarms that might eventually lead to warts, especially if frequently touched with bare hands.
WHERE DOES THE FROG-TRANSMITTING-WARTS ASSUMPTION EXACTLY CAME FROM?
Note: Frogs cannot give you warts. They can't carry HPV either.
There are still existing myths ’til today, like for example, the story behind warts and frogs. Curious to where the myth exactly came from? well, the answer is apparent. People based it from the similiarity of the two. Both look rough and round.
DIAGNOSIS
If you’d like your warts to get diagnosed, visiting a dermatologist is the best option. Warts, again, are harmless growths on skin, but it’s understandable to feel anxious about it. So, it’s always best to consult a doctor to allay the discomfort and anxiety.
A doctor might do a simple physical examination to make sure that those were warts. He or she might also ask you question for his/her diagnosis. Your doctor might order a biopsy if he/she needed a further confirmation about your warts’ condition. This can be done by peeling off the top layer of your wart to serve as your wart sample.
ARMPIT WARTS TREATMENT
OVER-THE-COUNTER (PHARMACIES)
1. Salicylic Acid
This is one of the most popular approach for warts removal. You can buy this from a nearest drug store, in appearance of either gel or liquid. This will help in gradually dissolving the layers of your warts tissue.
2. Liquid Nitrogen
This product is used in cryotherapy, a procedure of freezing the warts. You can buy a non-prescription nitrogen products from drug stores, this is also in a form of a gel or liquid. If you’d like to undergo cryotherapy, it’s best to let a dermatologist do the job.
HOME REMEDIES
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
One of the most popular remedy, but be wary of its downside. This might cause inflammation, especially underarms, so make sure to apply with caution. Use a cotton ball and apply only a small amount of it to make sure it will not irritate your armpits. In addition, this might cause unwanted armpit odor too, so wash with antibacterial soap right after. Vinegar works like salicylic acid since it has natural antimicrobial properties that help fight HPV.
2. Banana Peel
This is not scientifically proven to work effectively. There’s no research studies related to potassiums that confirmed its effectiveness to treat any viral skin infection, like warts, as well. Discontinue using banana peel if your armpits react against it.
3. Garlic
I do not recommend this for armpit warts since garlic is one of the common reason to why a person suffer from armpit unwanted odor, but it’s said to naturally heal skin conditions like psoriasis and warts decades ago. Its main component, allicin, has microbial effect similar to vinegar’s that destroy enzymes. If you have warts on hands, then you might want to try it. If you’d like to treat armpit warts, then you might want to reassess all the possible remedies first before this.
4. Orange Peel
This is another popular remedy for warts, but like the other home remedies, there’s no scientific data to support the assumption about it.
5. Pineapple
There are existing scientific data that support the probable effect of pineapple to some particular health condition, but none for warts removal.
6. Dandelion weed
This is a traditional remedy for warts.
7. Aloe Vera
If you find your armpit warts itchy, might as well apply aloe vera.
8. Vitamin C & Vitamin E
Since HPV often target those people with weakened immune system, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are perfect for immune-boosting properties.
OTHER TREATMENTS
1. Trichloroacetic acid
This is one of the least common treatment for warts, applied by someone professional in the field, like a dermatologist.
2. Immunotherapy
If you have recurring warts, immunotherapy might be the solution. You would be given antigens to help your immune system fight against the warts.
3. Electrosurgery
Scarring might happen due to the overall procedure. This treatment will burn away the wart tissue. It’d be painful, so anesthesia might be needed to numb the pain.
4. Duct Tape
this is also one of the most popular remedy for warts. If you have excessive perspiration underarms, duct tape may not be the best remedy for you.
5. Castor Oil
This is often used as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory remedy.
6. Bee Propolis
Propolis also has antimicrobial properties that help fight HPV.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
1. If you have warts, do not peel it off.
2. Do not touch warts.
3. Cover your cuts.
4. Strengthen your immune system.
5. Cover warts with a plaster to avoid spreading the virus more.
6. Practice personal hygiene.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Armpits are not the common spot for warts, but they’re possible due to all the reasons stated above. Always make sure to take consideration of your armpit’s condition first before resorting to any of the recommended remedies and treatments above to avoid skin irritation and allergy reactions. Consulting a dermatologist is a must for a safe warts removal.