Warts Overview:
Warts are noncancerous growths of skin that can occur anywhere on the body. There are many different kinds of warts but there are six main types. Common warts mainly occur on the hands and are grayish domes on the skin. Plantar warts appear on the soles of the feet. They are areas of hardened skin with dark specs. Flat warts are found on the face, legs, or arms. Flat warts are usually small and flat. Filiform warts are most commonly found around the mouth, nose, or bearded area. These are flesh in color. Periungual warts are found around and under toenails and fingernails. These warts affect nail growth and look like rough bumps. Genital warts are found around the genitals, anus, rectum, vagina, or cervix. These genital warts often form together to make a cauliflower like mass. In women, genital warts can lead to cervical cancer.
Warts Causes:
Warts are caused when the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters the body through a broken area of skin. This virus causes the top layer of skin cells to reproduce rapidly creating a small, harmless bump. Warts are generally harmless and can disappear on their own after months or years. Treatment involves freezing off the warts using home treatment.
Warts Symptoms:
Warts vary in size and color. Most are rough to the touch. In the core of each wart, many blood vessels are present to supply the wart with nutrients. These blood vessels are seen as dark dots in the center of each wart.