One of the most common (but still false) myths is that witches have more warts than non-witches. This is simply not the case. There are many other stereotypical flying female wizards who really have very good skin.
The truth is that you do not need to be a witch to get warts. And you, of course, do not have warts flying on a broomstick (although you may be inclined to get fragments in fairly tender areas of your anatomy). Warts are actually caused by the human papillomavirus (or short-term HPV). This virus can create warts anywhere in the body (and no, witches are no more prone to their nose or chin), although the focus of this article is, of course, the legs. Warts that form on the bottom of the foot (plantar surface) are called plantar warts. In fact, it does not matter.
Warts are contagious, although not very. The skin that is stuck with the wart, or the blood from the wart, will contain a virus, so contact with such bodily detritus can spread the virus to you. Common areas of infection (as the virus tends to like warm, humid environments) are public showers, lockers, and swimming pools. Sharing shoes or socks with another person who has warts can also cause an outbreak (and, admittedly, a bit rough). You can also dissolve warts from one part of the body to another by touching or scratching the wart and then touching another part of the body. Then the virus usually gets on the skin through small cuts. (And just so you know, the mumble of "Double, double work and trouble," probably will not cause warts.
People with sweaty legs tend to create ideal conditions for HPV, and therefore may be more susceptible to the development of warts. Children, adolescents and the elderly are also more likely to get warts than other groups of people. And some people are actually immune to the virus. They have no warts at all, lucky ones.
Plantar warts are often mistaken for calluses (and vice versa) because they may look similar. Warts sometimes become covered or surrounded by thickened skin, which may make you think that you have callus or corn, and not a wart. However, unlike corns, warts tend to be painful if you squeeze them laterally, while corns tend to be painful when you push them directly. Warts also often contain small black dots (which, contrary to popular belief, are not wart seeds, but coagulate blood in small blood vessels). In addition, unlike corns, if you shave, warts tend to show dot bleeding, where there are black dots.
Warts are usually fairly well defined and can look like small grainy or fleshy bumps on the underside of the foot or can be hard and flat. They may differ slightly in color, but usually brown or gray. Because there is so much pressure on the lower legs, plantar warts can grow in the skin and not create a noticeable blow over it. However, they will not grow outside of the skin layers and into your bones. The virus is definitely just an epidermis buiker.
Over time, your wart can grow and spread, creating mosaic warts (mainly a cluster of warts). The more warts you have, the harder they can be treated. And, the more pain you may experience when standing, walking or running.
Although it is rare, it is possible that growth on your foot can be cancerous. Thus, even if you think that your stroke is a benign wart, you probably should check with your orthopedist. He or she may suggest various treatments, if it is a wart, and if it is a malignant growth, you can quickly begin treatment.
Your pediatrician probably finds out the history of your warts, asking how much time you had, what you have been doing so far to treat them, whether your warts are fighting, and if you are lately you have noticed any changes in your warts. (Your orthopedist should not ask how long you have been practicing dark arts, or if you have a good potion to turn a neighbor into a frog.)
In addition to your botanical history, your orthopedist will also conduct a physical examination of your wart and may shave it a little to check for exact bleeding. If the growth is suspicious, he or she will likely conduct a growth biopsy and analyze it.
Warts are uncomfortable at best and painful at worst. However, in any case, you can be sure that not a single mystical source is at its root.
