It has already been 8 years since I immigrated to San Diego with my family after graduating from university.

At first, everything was unfamiliar and awkward, but now I have become someone who is completely soaked in the sunshine and weather here.

However, one of the most surprising things I experienced here was that "the wart disappeared on its own."

When I was in Korea, I had a small, hard wart under my right thumb nail.

I went to the dermatologist and had cryotherapy several times, but it was only temporary, and after a few months, it would come back, and I would treat it again... I repeated this for several years. I was so busy preparing for immigration that I gave up on complete treatment, and one day, while living in the U.S., I suddenly noticed it. Where did the wart go?

Amazingly, I hadn't done any treatment, hadn't applied any ointment, and in the time I had forgotten about it, it had completely disappeared. I was so curious that I immediately started searching.

I found out that warts are mostly caused by the 'human papillomavirus (HPV).' They say that a virus enters the skin and proliferates in that area like a shell. However, surprisingly, there are quite a few cases where they disappear naturally.

Especially when the immune system improves, our body takes care of that virus on its own. Could it be that the wart, which had not disappeared for so long in Korea, was completely gone in just 3 years after coming to the U.S.?

The first reason is, without a doubt, the sunshine.

Every day is bright and sunny, and I love to soak up the sun, so I often go outside. Thanks to that, my vitamin D levels must have increased significantly. Vitamin D is good for bone health, but it is also a very important nutrient that helps immune cells function properly. So, as my immune system strengthened, I think I was naturally able to fend off the virus.

The second reason is stress.

When I was in Korea, I was really busy and sensitive, juggling school, part-time jobs, and relationships. But after coming to the U.S., due to the pandemic, I had time off work, went to the beach to take walks, people-watched, and just enjoyed the picturesque sky, living slowly like that. Those moments were a much-needed break for me. As my mind became more at ease, my body followed suit, and my immune system naturally improved.

And since coming to the U.S., my diet has become healthier. I often ate Greek yogurt like Chobani, almonds, salads, and salmon, and I consistently walked and exercised. The nice weather naturally encouraged me to go outside. I think those lifestyle patterns gradually built up my immune energy.

Looking back now, the wart was not just a simple skin trouble, but a signal showing the state of my body. What could not be treated in Korea slowly and naturally disappeared after coming to the U.S., ultimately because my body and mind became healthier.

If any of you are struggling with warts or similar skin issues, please don't just think about medical treatment. Reflect on how much stress you are under, whether you are getting enough sunlight, and if you are eating well and resting properly. Our immune system really depends on the environment we live in and how we take care of ourselves.

Small changes like sunshine, relaxation, healthy meals, and regular exercise quietly brought about healing within my body.

Even now, I feel grateful and amazed when I think about it.