Warts

• Common warts. These are firm and often have a rough surface. They are round or have an irregular shape. They are found on places subject to injury, such as the hands, fingers, and knees. Common warts are flesh-colored to brown. They may spread, but are not cancer.

• Flat warts. These are smooth and flesh-colored. They are found mainly on the hands and face and may itch.

• Plantar warts. These occur on the soles of the feet. They look like corns or calluses and may have little black dots in the center. They can be painful.

• Digitate warts. These threadlike warts grow on the scalp.

• Filiform warts. These are long, narrow, small growths. They appear mainly on the neck, eyelids, or armpits.

• Genital warts. See Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) – Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Causes

Warts are caused by human papillomaviruses. One of these viruses may enter the body through a cut or nick in the skin. Scratching or picking at warts may spread them to other sites. Some persons are more prone to getting warts than others. People who cannot fight off disease are also more at risk for warts. You cannot get warts from frogs or toads.

Resources

Skinsight

www.skinsight.com

Treatment

Treatment for warts depends on their location, type, and severity and how long they have been on the skin. About 50% of warts go away in 6 to 12 months without treatment.

Self-care measures can be used for warts not on the face or genitals. Medical treatment includes liquid nitrogen, chemical injections, topical medicines, laser surgery, and minor surgery.

Questions to Ask

Question 1

Are any of these problems present?

• The wart is near the genital or anal area. The wart is painful. The wart has changed its shape or color.

• Signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, pain, drainage, warmth, or red streaks occur at the wart site.

• The location of the wart limits normal movement. The wart is a new wart on a person over 45 years old.

You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.

Question 2

Is the wart bothersome and has it not responded to self-care measures?

You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.

Use Self-Care / Prevention:

You can probably take care of the problem yourself if you answered NO to all the questions. Use the “Self-Care” measures that are listed. Call your doctor if you don’t feel better soon, though. You may have some other problem.

Self-Care / Prevention

• Don’t touch, scratch, or pick at warts.

• Never cut or burn a wart off.

• Try an over-the-counter wart remover with salicylic acid. This can be a liquid or it can be in a medicated wart pad or patch. {Note: Do not use these wart removers on the face or genitals.} Follow package directions. A pumice stone helps remove the dead skin during this treatment.

• Ask your doctor about Retin A for flat warts.

• During treatment for plantar warts, put pads or cushions in your shoes. This can help relieve the pain when you walk.

To Prevent Warts

• Don’t touch, scratch, or pick at warts.

• Wear plastic sandals or shower shoes in locker rooms and public swimming pool areas.

• Change shoes often to air them out.

This website is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this guide.

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