Before a wart can grow, the skin must be infected by the human papilloma virus, frequently shortened to HPV. This virus has more than 50 different strains and there are quite a few different types of warts that may grow based on the strain of the virus and the area of the body. There are plantar warts that appear on the feet, genital warts, common warts and flat warts that are most common on the face. Warts begin to grow after the incubation period of the virus, which may last a week or two or as long as several months.
HPV and Wart Formation
Warts will begin to grow after an individual has contracted one of the strains of HPV. Unfortunately, it is quite easy to contract this virus. Someone with a wart on their hand could open a door and leave the virus to infect others. Similarly, individuals with plantar warts may use a communal shower and leave the virus behind for others to catch simply by walking on the same surface. Most people will develop immunity to various strains of HPV over their lives, generally after being exposed to the virus. However, kids are more susceptible because their immune systems have not encountered this virus before.
Process of Wart Formation
After an individual has been exposed and contracted a strain of HPV, it is only a matter of time before a wart begins to grow. Some people's immune systems may kick in and prevent the wart growth, but many times this will not occur. The virus will cause the skin of the affected area to begin to harden and thicken. As the skin thickens in that particular area, it becomes larger and larger until it becomes an obvious wart. Warts can spread, too, if damaged by spreading the virus to surrounding parts of the body.
Extent of Wart Growth
Luckily, most warts will not continue to grow past a certain size, usually about the size of a pencil eraser. Most of the time an individual's immune system will kick in and the wart will disappear on its own. Other times, individuals will seek treatment from dermatologists or use at home kits to help the wart disappear. As long as the body is infected with the virus, however, it's possible for the wart to reappear.
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