Warts: Everything You Need To Know

Warts are often contagious. But there are steps you may do to prevent spreading or catching them, such as often washing your hands and wearing shoes in public restrooms.

Many types of warts respond to over-the-counter treatment, but it is best to schedule an appointment with a doctor if your wart changes color, becomes painful, or if you have any doubts about whether it is actually a wart. Warts are generally not dangerous, but they can be uncomfortable and occasionally painful.

Types of warts

Wart types vary depending on the affected body part. Types include:

Hands: Because they are the most prevalent variety, these warts are referred to as common warts.

Face: The cheeks and forehead are affected by flat warts.

Feet: Plantar warts develop in clusters and occur on the bottoms of the feet. They resemble calluses with little black dots in the center.

Genitals: Genital warts are a type of sexually transmitted infection that develops on the penis, vagina, or rectum. Genital warts are contracted by sexual contact with an infected person.

Periungual and subungual: These warts can develop at or around toenails and fingernails.

What causes warts?

When the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters a cut in the skin, it causes a skin infection that forms warts. Warts are very contagious. The virus can spread from person to person or from different parts of the body through:

• Contact directly with a wart.
• Contacting a virus-contaminated surface, such as a towel, a doorknob, or the shower floor
• Sexual activity (genital warts)
• Cuticle picking and nail-biting
• Shaving

Wart removal with salicylic acid

Over-the-counter salicylic acid is a medication that is frequently used to treat warts. It is absorbed into the skin slowly and painlessly, which causes the skin cells that contain the wart virus to peel off. This is a very effective way to get rid of warts, but it should never be used to treat warts on the face, neck, or genitals. Always consult your dermatologist when treating your warts. 

When should you see a dermatologist?

Although it may take a year or two and additional ones may develop nearby, the majority of common warts disappear on their own. However, if home therapies are unsuccessful or the warts are bothersome, spreading, or a cosmetic issue, you should see a doctor.

Also head to the doctor if you notice the following:

• Bleeding or infection-related symptoms like pus or scabbing around a wart
• The wart hurts
• Its color changes
• You have diabetes or an immune disorder like HIV or AIDs and you also have warts
• You have warts on your face or another sensitive area of your body (such as your genitalia, mouth, or nostrils).

Prevention

Although there is no real way to avoid warts, you can lessen your chance of contracting the virus or stop warts from spreading by following these instructions: 

• Avoiding shaving over warts
• Halt plucking at your cuticles or biting your nails
• Dry off your hands and feet.
• Utilize flip-flops or shower shoes when in a locker room or public restroom which may be breeding grounds for bacteria.
• Frequently wash your hands, especially if you’ve come into contact with someone who has warts.
• Avoiding picking your warts
• Bandage warts when necessary

Key Takeaways

Warts are often not harmful, but they can be uncomfortable and occasionally painful. Therefore, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with a doctor if your wart changes color, becomes painful, or if you have any doubts about whether it is indeed a wart.

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