Home and FamilyA Guide to Warts
Warts are caused by human pappilloma virus (HPV). They are a harmless, non-cancerous skin growth that sometimes go away on their own in a matter of a few months and can usually be treated quickly and easily without any further complications. Some types of warts, if left untreated, can lead to more serious conditions while the appearance of others can indicate a higher than normal predisposition to certain kinds of cancer and should be checked out thoroughly by a doctor.
HPV enters the body through a break or tear in the skin and causes the top layer of the skin to grow rapidly, forming a wart. Warts can breakout anywhere on the body that the HPV virus can enter and for some unknown reason they are more common in children and young adults.
There are six main types of warts that can differ in location and in appearance. Knowing the differences can help you chart a course of treatment, should you discover one of these types of warts on your body.
Common warts appear most often on the hands but they may appear almost anywhere on the body. They are rough, gray-brown dome-shaped growths.
Plantar warts occur on the soles of the feet. They look like hard, thick patches of skin with some dark specks. These warts cause pain when you walk as if you are stepping on a sharp pebble in your shoe.
Flat warts are usually found on your face, arms and legs. They are smaller than a typical pencil eraser, have flat tops and can be pink, light brown or yellow in color.
Filiform warts are usually found around the mouth or nose area. They are flesh-colored and appear as a small, fingerlike growth.
Periungual warts are found in the area of the toenails and fingernails and look like round, irregular bumps that can affect nail growth.
Genital warts are found on the genitals or the anus of men and women or on the cervix of women. They are flesh-colored to grayish and often resemble small cauliflower masses when they grow together.