Warts: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Warts are benign skin growths caused by infection with certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are common skin conditions that can affect people of all ages, although warts are particularly common among children and teenagers.

Warts develop when certain types of HPV infect the outer layer of the skin, causing skin cells to grow more rapidly and form a raised or rough area on the skin. The appearance and location of a wart can vary depending on the type of HPV involved and the area of the body affected.

Most skin warts are harmless and painless and may disappear on their own over time. However, some types, particularly plantar warts that develop on the soles of the feet, can become painful because of pressure from standing and walking.

Important: Common skin warts are different from genital warts. Genital warts are associated with different types of HPV and require appropriate medical evaluation.

What Are Warts?

A wart is a benign skin growth caused by infection with certain types of the human papillomavirus.

There are many different types of HPV, and the types that cause common skin warts are different from some of the types associated with other health conditions.

When HPV enters the skin, especially through small cuts, scratches, or damaged areas, it can infect skin cells and stimulate their growth, eventually producing a visible wart.

Warts may take several weeks or even months to become noticeable after the initial infection.

Are Warts Contagious?

Yes. Skin warts can spread from person to person because they are caused by a contagious virus.

HPV may spread through:

• Direct contact with a wart.
• Sharing towels or personal items that come into contact with the skin.
• Scratching or picking at a wart and then touching another area of the body.
• Contact between the virus and damaged or broken skin.

For this reason, it is best to avoid picking, cutting, or scratching warts, as this may contribute to spreading the infection to other areas.

Who Is More Likely to Develop Warts?

Anyone can develop warts, but they are more common in:

• Children and teenagers.
• People with frequent cuts or scratches on the skin.
• People who bite their nails or pick the skin around their nails.
• People with weakened immune systems.

Individual susceptibility to HPV can vary from person to person.

Types of Skin Warts

Warts can differ in appearance and location. The most common types include:

1. Common Warts

Common warts usually appear on the hands, fingers, and around the nails.

They typically appear as small, raised bumps that may have a rough or irregular surface. Some common warts may contain tiny dark spots caused by small clotted blood vessels within the wart.

Warts around the nails may be more common in people who bite their nails or pick the skin around their fingernails.

2. Plantar Warts

Plantar warts develop on the soles of the feet.

Because they are exposed to pressure from standing and walking, they may become flattened or grow inward into the thicker skin of the foot. This can make them painful, particularly when walking or standing.

Several plantar warts may also develop close together. This pattern is known as mosaic warts.

Small dark spots may sometimes be visible within plantar warts.

3. Flat Warts

Flat warts are usually smaller and smoother than many other types of warts. They may be skin-colored or light brown.

They can appear on:

• The face.
• The forehead.
• The hands.
• The legs.

Flat warts may occur in large numbers at the same time, which can make their treatment different from that of a single wart.

4. Filiform Warts

Filiform warts have a distinctive appearance, often resembling thin threads or finger-like projections.

They commonly occur on the face, particularly around:

• The mouth.
• The nose.
• The eyes.

They may grow relatively quickly. Because they can occur close to sensitive areas such as the eyes, they should not be removed at home without appropriate medical advice.

5. Genital Warts

Genital warts are different from most common skin warts and are usually transmitted through sexual or intimate skin-to-skin contact.

They can develop around the genital area or anus and may appear as small individual growths or clusters of growths.

Genital warts should be evaluated by a healthcare professional because the HPV types that cause them differ from many of the types responsible for common skin warts, and certain HPV types are associated with other health risks.

What Causes Warts?

Warts are caused by infection with certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV).

The virus can enter the skin through small cuts, cracks, or other minor damage that may not always be visible. Once inside the skin, HPV can infect skin cells and cause them to grow more rapidly.

The risk of transmission may increase when the skin is damaged or exposed to repeated friction or moisture.

Examples include:

• Nail biting.
• Picking at the skin around the nails.
• Shaving over irritated or damaged skin.
• Scratching or picking at an existing wart.
• Walking barefoot in some shared or wet environments.

How Are Warts Diagnosed?

A dermatologist can often diagnose a wart through a physical examination and its characteristic appearance.

The doctor may use specialized equipment to examine the skin more closely. In some cases, a small sample of the lesion may be removed and sent to a laboratory for examination, particularly when the appearance is unusual or another skin condition needs to be ruled out.

Accurate diagnosis is important because several other skin conditions can sometimes look similar to warts.

Can Warts Be Prevented?

Not all warts can be prevented, but several measures can help reduce the risk of developing or spreading them.

Helpful precautions include:

• Avoiding direct contact with another person’s wart.
• Avoiding scratching or picking at warts.
• Not sharing towels or personal items.
• Washing your hands regularly.
• Avoiding nail biting and picking at the skin around the nails.
• Covering a wart when appropriate, based on medical advice.
• Avoiding the use of wart-removal tools on other parts of the body without properly cleaning them.
• Avoiding walking barefoot in shared wet areas, especially if you have cuts or cracks on your feet.

For genital warts, reducing the risk of HPV infection involves appropriate safer-sex practices. HPV vaccination can also help protect against several HPV types associated with certain diseases, depending on age and local medical recommendations.

Do Warts Go Away on Their Own?

Yes. Some skin warts can disappear without treatment, particularly in children.

However, some warts can remain for a longer period and may become uncomfortable, painful, or spread to other areas of the body.

Treatment may be recommended when a wart:

• Causes pain.
• Persists for a long time.
• Spreads to other areas.
• Becomes repeatedly irritated or bleeds.
• Interferes with daily activities.
• Has an uncertain diagnosis.

Wart Treatment

Treatment depends on the type, size, location, and number of warts, as well as the patient’s age and individual circumstances.

Some treatments require several sessions or weeks before the wart disappears completely.

1. Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used topical treatments for certain skin warts.

It works by gradually removing layers of the affected skin. Treatment may need to be applied regularly for several weeks according to medical advice or the instructions for an appropriate product.

A doctor may recommend soaking the affected area briefly and gently removing dead skin before applying the treatment. However, patients should avoid cutting or aggressively scraping the wart themselves.

2. Cryotherapy With Liquid Nitrogen

Cryotherapy is a common medical treatment for warts. During the procedure, a dermatologist applies liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart.

The freezing process destroys the affected tissue, and the wart gradually separates from the surrounding skin.

Several treatment sessions may be required.

Cryotherapy can cause temporary pain, blistering, or irritation. Temporary changes in skin color may also occur in some patients, particularly people with darker skin tones.

3. Cantharidin

A dermatologist may use cantharidin to treat certain warts.

The medication is applied directly to the wart under medical supervision. It can cause a blister to form beneath the wart, helping separate the affected tissue from the surrounding skin.

Blistering and discomfort may occur during the days following treatment, and the doctor will provide instructions regarding follow-up and wound care.

4. Curettage and Electrosurgery

In some cases, a dermatologist may remove a wart using curettage, a procedure in which the affected tissue is scraped away.

Electrosurgery may also be used, sometimes in combination with curettage, depending on the type, size, and location of the wart.

5. Laser Treatment

Certain laser treatments may be considered for persistent warts that have not responded to other treatments.

Laser therapy is selected based on the type and location of the wart and the patient’s response to previous treatments.

6. Chemical Peels

Certain chemical treatments may be used for specific types of warts, particularly flat warts that occur in large numbers.

A dermatologist may recommend topical peeling agents depending on the patient’s condition. These treatments should be used under medical supervision to reduce the risk of excessive irritation or pigmentation changes.

7. Immunotherapy

For persistent or difficult-to-treat warts, a dermatologist may recommend treatments designed to stimulate the body’s immune response against the wart.

Immunotherapy may be considered when standard treatments have not produced satisfactory results. The appropriate approach depends on the patient’s condition and the type and location of the warts.

Treatment of Genital Warts

Genital warts require appropriate medical evaluation because their treatment differs from that of common skin warts.

Treatment options may include prescription topical medications or procedures to remove visible warts, such as cryotherapy, electrosurgery, or other treatments selected by the healthcare professional.

It is important to understand that removing visible genital warts does not necessarily eliminate HPV from the body immediately. Therefore, warts may return after treatment.

Some HPV infections can also be transmitted even when visible warts are not present. Patients should discuss prevention, vaccination, and appropriate screening with their healthcare provider.

Can Warts Come Back After Treatment?

Yes. Some warts may return after treatment.

Removing a visible wart does not necessarily mean that the HPV infection has been immediately eliminated from the skin. As a result, new warts may develop after treatment.

If a new wart appears, early evaluation by a dermatologist can help determine whether treatment is necessary and which option is most appropriate.

When Should You See a Dermatologist?

You should consult a dermatologist if:

• You are not sure whether a skin growth is a wart.
• The wart is painful or bleeding.
• The wart changes significantly in appearance or color.
• Multiple warts develop.
• Warts spread quickly.
• Warts do not respond to appropriate home treatment.
• A wart develops on the face or near the eyes.
• You have a condition that affects your immune system.
• Growths appear in the genital area.

Living With and Managing Warts

Most common skin warts are harmless, and some disappear without treatment. However, they can sometimes persist, spread, or become uncomfortable.

Avoiding scratching and picking, maintaining good hand and foot hygiene, and seeking medical advice when necessary can help prevent complications and reduce the risk of spreading the infection.

Conclusion

Warts are common benign skin growths caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). They are particularly common among children and teenagers and can appear on different parts of the body.

The most common types include common warts, plantar warts, flat warts, and filiform warts. Some disappear naturally, while others may require medical treatment.

Treatment options include salicylic acid, cryotherapy, cantharidin, curettage, electrosurgery, laser therapy, chemical treatments, and immunotherapy, depending on the type and location of the wart.

Genital warts are different from common skin warts and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. HPV vaccination and appropriate preventive measures can also help reduce the risk associated with certain types of HPV.

If you have a persistent, painful, bleeding, rapidly growing, or unusual skin growth, consulting a dermatologist is the best way to obtain an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.