Warts

Created: 03.08.2023

Updated: 28.12.23
Approved by: General Practitioner, Dr Binita Parmar

A wart, medically known as verruca vulgaris, is a non-cancerous skin growth caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus leads to an increase in skin cell production in the affected area, resulting in a raised bump on the skin. Warts most commonly appear on the fingers, toes, or the soles of the feet. They are often observed in adolescents aged 12 to 16, with a slightly higher occurrence among girls compared to boys. If you have concerns about warts or require treatment, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate tailored management.

Occurrence

Infection with the HPV virus occurs either through direct contact (e.g. skin to skin) or via objects that have the virus on them (e.g. towels or bathroom floors). The virus then penetrates the skin through small tears and causes infection. Warts can also spread on the skin if you scratch an area where there are warts.

Symptoms

Warts can appear anywhere on the body, but most often they are found on the hands or feet. They can be painful, or cause no symptoms at all. In general, a wart is dome-shaped with a slightly rough/uneven surface. There may also be small black dots in the wart. If the wart is inside the palm of the hand or under the sole of the foot, it can be completely flat and blend in with the surrounding skin.

Treatment

Most warts go away on their own with some time, and if they do not cause any problems, there is no need to treat them either. This applies especially to young children, as some of the treatment methods can be somewhat painful. There are a number of remedies from the pharmacy that you can try yourself, if this does not help, a doctor can help with freezing treatment or other stronger drugs that can be applied. For example, preparations containing salicylic acid have also proven effective. If wart treatment proves to be particularly troublesome or ineffective, you may be referred to a dermatologist to consider surgical removal or laser treatment.