About this topic
Warts are small growths on the skin. They most often happen on the hands, fingers, and feet, but you can have them anywhere on your body. There are many kinds of warts. Warts are not cancer, but can be painful and unsightly. ‚
A virus causes warts. There is no cure for this virus. This means that warts may come and go and return even after they have been removed. ‚
What are the causes?
A virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV, causes warts. You can get a wart by touching someone elses wart or something a wart has touched, like a floor or towel. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
You are more likely to get a wart if you: ‚
- Are a child or teenager
- Have cuts or scrapes
- Bite your nails or pick at hangnails
- Have a weak immune system
If you pick at a wart, it may increase the chances of spreading them to other parts of your body. ‚
What are the main signs?
- Small hard bump often with a black dot in the center
- Bump may be flesh colored, grayish-brown, pink, or light brown
- May be rounded, flat, rough, or smooth
- May be finger-like or thread-like growths
- May be tender or painful
- May grow in clusters
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
The doctor can tell if you have a wart by looking closely at your skin. Rarely, a doctor may have to do a test called a skin biopsy where the wart or a piece of the wart is sent to a lab. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Some warts may go away on their own, especially in children. If the wart is not painful, it may not need treatment. Treatment depends on the kind of wart and how many warts you have. You may need: ‚
- Drugs to put on the wart to make it go away
- Drugs to boost the immune system to help fight the virus causing the warts
- Procedures using heat, cold, tools, or lasers to remove the warts. You may have:
- Cryotherapy ¢ ˆ ’ Freezes the warts to remove it
- Electrocautery ¢ ˆ ’ Uses heat to burn and remove the wart
- Laser ¢ ˆ ’ Uses lasers to remove the wart and kill the root underneath the skin
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Remove the wart
- Help with pain
Will there be any other care needed?
- Do not scratch or pick at warts. They can spread to other parts of your body.
- Wash your hands with soap and running water if you touch a wart.
- If you do have warts, keep the area dry to prevent spreading.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Do not touch warts on yourself or on other people. Wash your hands with soap and water if you touch a wart.
- Do not use other peoples personal items like towels, razors, or socks.
- Wear flip flops in public areas like pools, locker rooms, and showers.
- If you have a cut or scratch, keep it covered with a bandage.
- Practice safe sex and use protection to prevent the virus being passed during sex.
Helpful tips
Call your doctor if your wart bleeds, itches a lot, or is painful. ‚
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Dermatology ‚
http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/warts ‚
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/warts.printerview.all.html ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/skin/wart.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚