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CHILDREN’S DISEASES: WARTS
Warts and papillomas are identical growths which occur in seventy per cent of children and generally disappear without treatment. There are many old-fashioned remedies, including rubbing them with banana skins, plants, thistle juice and weeds. None of these treatments actually kills the wart virus but rather relies on the wart to disappear spontaneously.
Warts are caused by a human papilloma virus transmitted from person to person. Children have low immunity against this virus so they are easily infected. As they get older, however, their immunity improves and they are less likely to pick it up. Wart virus cannot be prevented as it is everywhere. Contrary to popular belief, wearing thongs to the local swimming pool won\'t protect you.
Treating warts
Because most warts disappear without treatment, it is pointless to put a child through the pain of wart removal which can leave scars. When treating warts, it is preferable to use a painless, non-scarring treatment first, such as a wart paint or paste, which will often clear them up. Very large or troublesome warts can be treated with dry ice (liquid nitrogen) or can be surgically removed, but both these methods are painful. Resistant warts can now be removed with a carbon dioxide laser, which has a higher cure rate than other treatments. Another, alternative method of treating warts is to use a cream called D.N.C.B., which stimulates the body\'s immune system to fight off the warts. It may only be used under a doctor\'s supervision, but has the advantage of being painless.
*7/150/5*
GENERAL HEALTH
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