Introduction
Compound W is an over-the-counter wart remover. In many cases warts disappear after a time, but for some people the warts are embarrassing and unsightly. Medical treatment is usually not necessary for most warts, but there are home remedies and over-the-counter drugs that have proven effective in eliminating warts. Compound W is one of the best-known commercial wart removers on the market.
What Are Warts?
Warts are skin growths on the outer layer of the skin. They are small, rough, flesh-colored bumps. While common warts are usually painless, they are also contagious. Warts occur one at a time or several warts in one outbreak. Although warts are generally harmless, they are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are more than one hundred different types of HPV and each affects a different part of the body. Several types even cause cervical cancer. Most common warts appear on the hands and fingers, but they can spread to other parts of the body or to other people. People can get HPV simply by touching something that an affected person has touched. But everyone's immune system is different so not every person will get warts if they come into contact with the virus.
Treatment for the removal of warts stops the spread of the disease. Other types of warts appear on different areas of the body. Plantar warts appear on the soles of the feet. There are also genital warts, which are sexually transmitted. Flat warts appear on the face and legs and are smoother and smaller than common warts.
How Compound W Works
Compound W is a commercial product suitable for treating common warts and plantar warts. The only active ingredient in the product is 17% salicylic acid, the substance found in aspirin. This mild acid exfoliates the infected skin.
Compound W comes in four formulas: liquid, gel, pads and Freeze Off. The liquid and gel is applied once or twice daily for a few weeks to a few months to get results. The medicated pads have adhesive and attach to the skin and cover the wart. Freeze Off is the latest product. With this product you put the applicator tip (cooled to -55 degrees Celsius) to the center of the wart for about 40 seconds. This freezes the wart and in two weeks it falls off. The liquid, gel and pad all contain salicylic acid, but the ingredients for Freeze Off are not stated on the Compound W website. Many consumers praise the effective of the Compound W wart remover products.
Tags: common warts, warts appear, salicylic acid, wart remover, warts Compound
