Warts
What are warts?
Warts are noncancerous skin growths caused by the papillomavirus. Warts are more common in children than adults, although they can develop at any age. Warts can spread to other parts of the body and to other people. There are many different types of warts, due to many different papillomavirus types (more than 100). Warts aren't painful, except when located on the feet. Most warts go away, without treatment, over an extended period of time.
Common types of warts
The following are the more common types of warts:
| Type | Appearance |
|---|---|
| Hand and foot warts | Located on the soles of feet (plantar warts) or the palms of the hand (palmar warts) with black dots (clotted blood vessels that once fed them); clusters of plantar warts are called mosaic; can be painful |
| Flat warts | Small, smooth growths that grow in groups up to 100 at a time; most often appear on children's faces |
| Genital warts | Grow on the genitals and are occasionally sexually transmitted; are soft and don't have a rough surface like other common warts |
| Filiform warts | Small, long, narrow growths that usually appear on eyelids, face, or neck |
Plantar Warts
This condition occurs when a virus enters the body through cuts or breaks in the skin and causes non-cancerous growths to build up on the soles of the feet. Plantar warts are not dangerous, but they can be painful and resistant to treatment.
What is the treatment for warts?
Specific treatment for warts will be determined by your doctor based on:
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Your age, overall health, and medical history
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Extent of the growths
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Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
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Expectations for the course of the growths
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Your opinion or preference
Warts often disappear without treatment. Treatment of warts depends on several factors, including:
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Length of time on the skin
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Location
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Type
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Severity
Treatment may include:
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Application of salicylic and lactic acid (to soften the infected area)
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Freezing with liquid nitrogen
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Electrodesiccation (to destroy the wart with an electrical current)
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Immunotherapy
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Laser surgery
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Prescription creams, such as imiquimod
