Wart
Warts are non-cancerous, rough, small, hard and usually painless growths on the skin without any discolouration. Warts are very common, while most people are infected at some point in time.
Types of Warts
Different types of warts are classified based on shape, site and causative virus.
- Raised wart are wart with rough surfaces, common on hands but can grow anywhere in the body. Caused by HPV 2 and 4.
- Flat warts are flattened wart, pinkish in colour. They appear in large numbers. Commonly seen on face, neck and hands. Caused by HPV 3, 10, 28.
- Genital wart appears on the genital region. Cause by HPV 6 and 11.
- Digitate wart are finger-like wart and most commonly seen in eyelids and lips. Cause by HPV 3, 33, 52 and 59.
- Plantar wart are hard, raised warts usually seen on pressure points and often painful. Caused by HPV 1, 2, 3, 27.
Periungual wart are cauliflower-like a cluster of warts usually seen in the nail bed. Cause by HPV 4, 5, and 11.
Causes of Warts
- Warts are caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV) and the virus gains entry through the cuts in the skin.
- Using public showers/ public washrooms are the common areas for spread
- Cutting infected meat with bare hands is another reason to get infected
- Low immunity makes one susceptible to contract infection easily.
Symptoms
Usually asymptomatic but if present apart from its appearance there may be a little pain and sometimes can bleed too.
Treatment of Warts in Allopathy
Once the diagnosis is confirmed a treatment is planned.
Medical management: An application of weak acid such as salicylic acid over the wart for about 2- 3 weeks till the wart disappears is a very effective and most commonly used.
Imiquimod is a topical cream that prevents the further growth of the wart by interfering with the viral growth
Cryosurgery, laser wart removal and surgical curettage are few other treatment modalities where medical treatment has been unsuccessful.
Ayurveda and Wart
According to Ayurveda vitiation in Vata and Kapha Dosha are the main causative factors which give rise to warts.
Treatment in Ayurveda
Ayurvedic therapies
Abhyanga is a herbal oil massage deeply penetrates the skin, relaxes the body and mind and stimulates the arterial and lymphatic circulation, expels the toxins frm the body and improves immunity. Abhyanga is followed by Swedana which is very essential in treating disorders associated with skin, as it helps a deeper penetration of the medicated oils for higher effectiveness.
Diet changes
- A healthy diet plays a vital role in curing warts.
- The diet must contain fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably green vegetables which have proven effective in treating warts.
- Incorporate turmeric, garlic and cloves in your diet as they boost immunity, treat and prevent further infection
- Sour and fermented food is better avoided as it aggravates the Kapha Dosha.
Lifestyle modification
- Mild to moderate exercises are beneficial, however strenuous exercise should be avoided.
- Regular exercise reduces stress, which is one of the possible trigger factors for relapse of HPV infection
- Meditation and yoga calm the body, mind and soul. It balances the Doshas and improves immunity.
- A good night’s sleep of more than 8 hours is vital for rejuvenation of body and mind. Sleep is also very essential to build up immunity which is very essential in viral infection as it is self-healing.
Ayurvedic medication
- The herbal preparations detoxify blood and lymph, expel the toxins and vitiated doshas from lymph and blood, and hence the underlying tissues get rejuvenated.
- Kaseeradi taila is an effective treatment for warts when applied directly and covered with a bandage to retain the medication.
- Milk sap of Banyan tree is an excellent treatment for Warts when applied twice daily for a period of 3 weeks.
- Euphorbia is a herb commonly used in Ayurveda for Wart removal.
- Tankan bhasma mixed with lemon juice to make a paste and applied on the wart is daily. Precaution should be taken not to apply on the healthy skin as it would cause burning sensation and redness.
- Aragvadha Rishta, Khadirarishta, Rasamanikya and Chandraprabha vati are a potent blood purifier, free radical scavengers and antiviral when taken orally. They also help in boosting ones immunity which is very essential to free oneself from a viral infection.
Yoga and Pranayama
Yoga is mainly focussed on improving one’s immunity and building the body’s defence mechanism to overcome the viral infection.
- Sarvangasana (shoulder stand pose) energises the body, strengthens the muscles and ligaments, stimulates circulation and refreshes the mind
- Matsyasana (fish pose) known as the destroyer of all disease, strengthens the intercostal muscles and improves respiration
- Bhujangasana (cobra pose) elevates mood, invigorates heart, relieves stress and fatigue, thus improving immunity.
- Uttanasana (standing forward bend) increases blood supply to the head, calms the mind and improves sleep.
- Salamba Setu bandhasana (support bridge pose) increases blood circulation to the upper body, thus improving respiration
- Shavasana (corpse pose) relaxes and energises the body and improves the immune system
Pranayama is a set of control breathing techniques where the breath is intentionally altered in order to produce specific results.
- Shiva pranayama is a disease destructor brings vigour and power to the body, improves circulation and strengthens the body against infection
- Bhramari Pranayama: calms the mind of stress, frustration and anger.
- Ujjayi pranayama: expels toxins from the body and strengthens the immune system
Naturopathy and Warts
Boosting ones immunity by improving the source of nutrition and some herbal extracts are the key to treat viral infections.
Juice of Indian gooseberry mixed with aloe vera juice and a tablespoon of lemon juice works as an excellent detox against viral infection and warts when consumed on a daily basis.
Naturopathic treatments
- Freshly ground garlic paste is applied on the wart and sealed by a cloth or tape so as to retain the medication in place for at least 4-5 hours. This is done on a daily basis till the wart completely sloughs off.
- Dandelion sap and Indian sorrel leaves are also effective in the treatment of warts.
- Oils rich in vitamin A, C and E are very effective in getting rid of Warts.
- Equal proportions of rock salt and limestone powder and made into a paste using few drops of carbonated water works like magic on warts.
- Cut a small portion of lime and secure it over the wart using a tape overnight for few days the wart gets dissolved slowly and effectively.
Diet
Diet rich in sulphur and amino acids such as asparagus, eggs, garlic, onions and citrus fruits works well against warts.
Vitamin A, B, C and minerals like zinc and copper are very important for normal functioning of the immune system. Coloured vegetables and berries help heal skin infection /wound and raise overall immunity.
The body needs protein to fight against infections. wild-caught fish, pasture-raised poultry and grass-fed beef are the best sources of organic proteins
Avoiding high sugar diet such as bottled drinks, packed snack, artificially flavoured eateries, and alcohol as it hampers ones immunity.
Lifestyle modifications
Replace tea and coffee for green tea as it boosts immunity and improves vitality.
Keep your stress levels low.
Practise yoga and Pranayama regularly or any other workouts that help you stay active
Always maintain hygiene, wash your hands regularly
Do not share Razors, inner wears, towels, socks and shoes with others.
Do not pluck warts as this would lead to spreading of infection.
