Warts are caused by various strains of human papillomaviruses. Different strains may cause warts in different parts of the body. Warts can be spread from one location on the body to another or from person to person by contact with the wart. The main symptom is a fleshy, painless growth on the skin. Common areas affected include the hands, feet, and genitals.

The location of a wart often characterizes its type:

• Common warts can appear anywhere on the body, although they most often appear on the back of fingers, toes and knees. These skin-colored, dome-shaped lesions usually grow where the skin has been broken, such as a scratch or bug bite. They can range in size from a pinhead to 10mm and may appear singly or in multiples.
• Filiform warts look like a long, narrow, flesh-colored stalk that appears singly or in multiples around the eyelids, face, neck or lips. They are sometimes called facial warts. They may cause itching or bleeding, but are easy to treat with over-the-counter medications.
• Flat (plane) warts appear on the face and forehead. They are flesh-colored or white, with a slightly raised, flat surface and they usually appear in multiples. Flat warts are more common among children and teens than adults.
• Genital warts appear around the genital and pubic areas. It is also possible to get genital warts inside the vagina and anal canal or in the mouth (known as oral warts). The lesions start small and soft but can become quite large. They often grow in clusters. They are both sexually transmitted and highly contagious. In fact, it is recommended you generally avoid sex with anyone who has a visible genital wart. Genital warts should always be treated by a physician.
• Plantar warts appear on the soles of the feet and can be painful since they are on weight-bearing surfaces. They have a rough, cauliflower-like appearance and may have a small black speck in them. They often appear in multiples and may combine into a larger wart called a mosaic wart. Plantar warts can spread rapidly.
• Subungual and periungual warts appear as rough growths around the fingernails and/or toenails. They start as nearly undetectable, pin-sized lesions and grow to pea-sized with rough, irregular bumps with uneven borders. Subungual and periungual warts can impede healthy nail growth. Because of their location, they are difficult to treat and generally require medical attention.

At Annexus Dermatology & Aesthetics, there are a multitude of treatments available for the removal of warts. Common warts can be removed by treating them with salicylic acid or tretinoin. However, freezing (also known as cryotherapy) has proven to be more effective. Cryotherapy is minimally painful and scarring is uncommon. Other treatments include electrosurgery, which burns the growth off of the skin, and cantharidin, which causes a blister to form. Topical creams that alter the local immune system, such as Aldara and Efudex, have also been used with some success. Another option is our CO2 laser, which can be used to vaporize the most resistant of warts. Always contact the dermatologist if a wart is causing pain, changes in color or appearance and for all genital warts. 

Interested in wart treatment at Annexus Dermatology & Aesthetics? Schedule an appointment today. Book a consultation online or call the office and speak with a friendly staff member.