Warts

What Exactly Are Warts?

Warts are small, non-threatening growths on the skin. Typically, they range in size from one to 10 millimeters and can appear alone or in groups. They are quite common, particularly among children, with approximately 20% of children experiencing them. Individuals aged between 12 and 16 years are most frequently affected by warts.1 In most cases, warts go away on their own without requiring medical treatment.

What Causes Warts?

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which has over 100 different strains responsible for the various forms of warts.2 HPV infects the outer skin layers, triggering wart formation.3 You can contract HPV from someone who already has the virus, either by direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching surfaces that are contaminated, such as in gyms, public pools, and communal showers. It can take up to a year for a wart to develop after exposure to the virus.4

Types of Warts and Their Symptoms

HPV can cause several types of warts, each with its own unique features. These include5,6:

• Common Warts (Verruca vulgaris): These are hard, raised bumps with a rough, grainy surface and a round top. They are often grayish and typically appear on the hands and knees.
• Flat Warts (Verruca plana): These warts are smooth and flat, with colors ranging from pink to brown or yellowish. They commonly appear on the face, arms, or thighs.
• Filiform Warts: These look like long, thin threads and usually form around the mouth, nose, or eyelids.
• Mosaic Warts: Found mainly on the hands and soles of the feet, these warts appear in tight clusters.
• Plantar Warts: Located on the soles of the feet, these warts grow into the skin rather than protruding out. They typically appear as small, hard bumps with a black dot in the center.
• Periungual Warts: These warts form around and beneath the nails and can be painful, affecting normal nail growth.
• Genital Warts: These are transmitted sexually and usually appear on the penis, vulva, and anus. They appear as gray or off-white lumps that resemble cauliflower. Genital warts are caused by a different HPV strain than the one responsible for ordinary skin warts, and in some cases, they can lead to the development of vulvar and cervical cancer.7 Ordinary skin warts, however, do not cause cancer.

How to Remove Warts

Approximately 65% of warts disappear within two years without any treatment.8 However, since warts can be both unsightly and uncomfortable, many individuals choose to seek treatment. Various options are available, including both home remedies and doctor-administered treatments. These methods include:

Home Treatments for Warts

Several at-home options can help treat warts:9

• Over-the-counter (OTC) freezing treatments: These treatments work by freezing the wart, which causes the skin to die, allowing you to gently scrape off the wart.
• Topical treatments: These include solutions containing salicylic acid or lactic acid (often referred to as wart paint). While this method can be as effective as freezing treatments, it may take several weeks for the wart to fully disappear.

If you have warts on your feet and are diabetic, or if they are located on sensitive areas such as the face or genitals, it is important to seek professional medical care.

Doctor-Provided Wart Treatments

A doctor can provide more advanced treatments for warts, which may include:10,11

• Cryotherapy (freezing): Liquid nitrogen or sprays are used to freeze the wart, but it might take up to four months of treatment to completely remove the wart.
• Laser treatment: This method uses a laser to remove the wart.
• Surgical cauterization (burning) or surgical excision: These procedures are less common due to the risk of scarring but can be effective for stubborn warts.
• Immunotherapy: This treatment boosts the body’s immune response to target and eliminate the wart, though it may take some time.

When to Visit a Doctor

If you suspect you have genital warts, it is crucial to consult a doctor, as these can lead to cancer. You should also see a doctor if:

• The wart is painful or causing significant discomfort.
• The wart appears to be infected.
• The wart is located on sensitive areas, such as your face or feet.
• You have multiple warts, or they are spreading.
• You have a weakened immune system.
• You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Can You Prevent Warts?

While warts are contagious, there are measures you can take to reduce the risk of spreading them.12,13

• Wash your hands after touching someone with warts.
• Avoid picking, scratching, or biting a wart.
• Cover warts to prevent spreading.
• Do not share wart treatments with others.
• Wear shoes in public showers and around public pools.

If you have a plantar wart (a wart on the bottom of the foot), you should also:

• Change your socks daily.
• Do not share socks or footwear.
• Avoid walking barefoot in public areas.