Warts are growths on your skin caused by an infection with human papilloma virus, or HPV. Types of warts include
- Common warts, which often appear on your fingers
- Plantar warts, which show up on the soles of your feet
- Genital warts, which are a sexually transmitted disease
- Flat warts, which appear in places you shave frequently
In children, warts often go away on their own. In adults, they tend to stay. If they hurt or bother you, or if they multiply, you can remove them. Chemical skin treatments usually work. If not, various freezing, surgical and laser treatments can remove warts.
Warts can be disfiguring and embarrassing. Sometimes they itch or hurt (particularly on the feet). Some warts spread through sex.
All warts can spread from one part of your own body to another. They may spread from one person to another, but this is uncommon.
Treatment is available if you do not like how the wart looks or if it is painful.
Your foot doctor usually diagnoses warts by looking at your skin.A biopsy may be done to confirm it is not another type of growth, including skin cancer.
Warts are generally harmless growths that often go away on their own within 2 years. Call for an appointment with your doctor if:
- There are signs of infection (red streaking, pus, discharge, or fever) or bleeding. Warts can bleed a little, but if bleeding is significant or not easily stopped by light pressure, see a doctor.
- The wart does not respond to self-care and you want it removed.
- You have pain associated with the wart.
- You have anal or genital warts.
- You have diabetes or a weakened immune system (for example, HIV) and have developed warts.
- There is any change in the color or appearance of the wart.
Prevention
- Avoid direct skin contact with a wart on someone else.
- After touching any of your warts, wash your hands carefully.
Plantar Warts
Plantar wart Striae go around lesion
Mosaic Wart Cluster
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