Warts are reaching epidemic proportions.

• Position: Viruses - Human papilloma virus - Brief Article

An estimated 3,900,000 warts are experienced by children every year, spreading from person to person on swimming pool decks, damp towels, showers, and locker rooms--places where one typically walks barefoot. These warm, moist environments are prime breeding areas for human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes skin cells to multiply rapidly, resulting in common and plantar warts. These are contagious and sometimes painful and embarrassing infections.

"Warts have reached epidemic proportions, and children are the most-common sufferers," reports David E. Bank, director of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetics & Laser Surgery, Mount Kisco, N.Y., and medical advisor to Compound W wart removal products. "Children who bite their nails and cuticles, suffer from eczema, or are prone to getting cuts...