Warts

What are warts?

Warts are small growths or bumps on the skin caused by a virus. Warts are most common in children and young adults, but older adults can have them also. They can grow on all parts of the body. They are commonly seen on the face, hands, feet, genitals, and rectal area.

How do they occur?

The virus that causes warts is called the human papillomavirus (HPV). Some people get warts more easily than other people. There are over 100 types of HPV viruses. Warts can spread to other parts of your body. They may be passed to another person when that person touches the warts. Warts on the genital area can be spread to another person during sex. You can also get warts from objects that were used by someone who has warts. Some people get warts more easily than other people.

What are the symptoms?

Warts are skin-colored and feel rough to touch. They often cause a painless bump on the skin. Common warts appear on fingers, near or under nails, and backs of hands. They are often seen around the nails and cuticles in people who bite their nails or pick at hangnails. It may take up to 3 months from the time you are infected with the virus until it appears on your skin.

Warts on the soles of the feet are called plantar warts. They may grow directly into the sole of the foot or they may stick out from the surface of the foot.

Flat warts grow on many areas of the body. In adults they are often found in the bearded area on men's faces and on the legs in women. Irritation from shaving may be the reason for this. They tend to be smaller and smoother than other warts and grow in clusters of 20 to 100 at a time.

Genital warts occur on the genitals, such as the vagina, penis, and scrotum, and in the area around the anus. Sometimes you may not be able to see the warts and they may cause no symptoms, or they may pain, itching, and burning.

How are they diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will examine your skin and the wart. Some tests, such as a Pap test in women, can help detect genital infection by HPV.

How are they treated?

Your healthcare provider may use a number of treatments to remove warts. Warts can be frozen, burned, surgically removed, treated with chemicals or drugs, or removed with a laser. Some warts can be hard to get rid of completely. More than 1 treatment may be needed.

You can buy nonprescription products to treat most warts that are not genital warts. These products contain mild acids that you put on the wart twice a day for several weeks. Gradually, the dead skin of the wart will peel off. Use caution because these acids can irritate normal skin. Do not use these products if you are pregnant unless your provider says it is OK.

Another treatment for warts on the skin (nongenital warts) uses duct tape: Cover the wart with duct tape. Once a week, remove the tape and soak the wart in water. Gently rub the wart with an emery board, sandpaper, or pumice stone. Put duct tape back on the wart in 12 hours. Repeat this process until the wart is gone. It may take up to 2 months.

Genital warts can be sexually transmitted and they can be a more serious problem than warts on the skin. They need to be checked by your healthcare provider. Some genital warts inside the vagina (on the cervix, which is the opening of the womb) can become cancerous. But these cancers can be prevented with the HPV vaccine. If you think you have genital warts, see your healthcare provider. If you do have genital warts, your sexual partner may also need to be seen. Avoid sexual contact until you and your partner have been treated.

If nongenital warts do not interfere with walking or running or do not cause social problems or embarrassment, it may be best to leave them alone. In most cases your immune system will slowly get rid of the infection, but it may take many months.

How long will the effects last?

Warts that are not genital are usually not serious and may disappear on their own in 2 to 3 years. Some warts last a lifetime.

Genital warts can be more serious. Some can be related to the development of cervical cancer. Genital warts need to be treated by your healthcare provider.

Treatment of warts can remove the warts, but it may not get rid of the virus. Because of this, warts may come back.

Rarely, men can get cancers on the penis from HPV.

How can I help prevent warts?

To reduce the risk of spreading warts:

• Avoid brushing, clipping, combing, or shaving over areas with warts.
• Wear shoes or sandals in public areas, such as pools and locker rooms
• Use a different nail file or clipper for nails that have warts.
• Avoid biting your fingernails if you have warts.
• Do not pick at warts. Consider covering them with bandages to discourage picking.
• Do not share toiletry or other personal items such as razors with other people.
• Use latex or polyurethane condoms to protect as much of the genital area as possible during intercourse. However, because condoms do not cover all of the skin, also protect yourself by having only one sexual partner and by knowing your partner's health history.

To prevent getting cervical cancer from genital warts, you can get shots (a vaccine called Gardasil) that prevent infection with some of the HPV strains that cause cervical cancer. Ask your healthcare provider if this vaccine is recommended for you.

For more information about warts, call the American Academy of Dermatology at 888-462-3376 or visit their Web site at http://www.aad.org.

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