A Helpful Guide to Understanding Warts
If you’ve ever wondered, ‘what is a wart?’, it’s a small, rough skin growth that can appear anywhere on the body, most often on the hands or feet. Warts develop when certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) infect the outer layer of the skin.
They can vary in size and texture depending on the type, and there are several kinds of warts that people may experience. Warts are common, usually harmless, and in many cases, they can resolve on their own over time.
What Causes Warts?
When people ask, ‘what causes warts?’ or ‘how do you get warts?’ the answer is that they occur when HPV enters the skin through tiny cuts, scratches or abrasions.
The virus can be spread through skin contact or shared surfaces, such as towels, floors, or communal showers.
So, are warts contagious? Yes. But the likelihood of developing one depends on factors like skin health and immune response.
They tend to be more common in children, those with broken skin, or people with reduced immunity, as these factors may make it easier for the virus to take hold.
Warts are skin growths on the top layer of skin that are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). This creates benign thickening of the skin and is inconvenient, especially if it happens in a visible place.
Children are most susceptible to warts because they get a lot of cuts. Still, anyone can get warts. People with weakened immune systems, such as those with autoimmune disease and the elderly, are also susceptible to the HPV virus that causes warts.
The virus spreads through direct skin contact and contact with damp floors such as swimming pools, exercise rooms, showers or changing rooms. Hence, most warts are found under feet and on the hands. Good hygiene is important to prevent contamination as much as possible. Family members of someone with a wart are at greater risk to come in contact with the virus, for example, through a shared towel or a door handle.
Scratching or nail biting increases the chance of spreading on one's own body. It is important to start treatment on a wart quickly to avoid new warts from developing and to prevent the distress that comes with warts.
Types of Warts
Common Warts (Verruca vulgaris)
These warts are small, usually round and rough and have a "cauliflower-like", dome shaped appearance. They are usually found on the hands, elbows, and knees. Use one of the Wart-Off range products to treat this wart.
Plantar Warts (Verruca plantaris)
These warts occur on the bottom of soles of the feet. They sometimes have visible dark specks beneath the surface. They are flat because of walking and standing and can be painful. Use one of the Wart-Off range products to treat this wart.
Water Warts (Molluscum contagiosum)
These warts are caused by a pox virus and not HPV, and does not have to be treated. To protect an inflamed wart, a plaster will suffice. You can squeeze a wart, but this may cause a scar. You could also use Wart-Off Freeze to treat this wart.
Are Warts Contagious?
Warts can spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus.
This is more likely in shared environments such as swimming pools, communal bathrooms, or sports changing areas where bare skin may come into contact with floors or equipment.
To help reduce the chance of spread, it’s best to avoid picking at warts and to refrain from sharing personal items like towels, socks, or footwear.
General Approaches to Managing Warts
In many cases, warts resolve on their own over time without the need for intervention. However, some people are interested in wart removal options.
Wart removal methods vary depending on the type and location of the wart, and can include topical sticks and paints, as well as cryotherapy.
Treatment may be recommended if the wart is uncomfortable, persistent, or spreading.
For those wondering how to get rid of warts, speaking with a healthcare professional can help identify the most suitable approach.
When to Speak to a Health Professional
A medical doctor or pharmacist should be consulted if a wart is painful, changes in appearance, multiplies, or does not improve over time.
Seeking medical advice is also recommended if you’re unsure whether the growth is a wart, or if it’s affecting your quality of life or confidence.
A health professional can provide assessment and discuss suitable management options for your situation.
This content is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Plantar Wart?
Plantar warts form on the soles of the feet, often with dark specks. Pressure from walking can make them flat and painful.
What is a Common Wart?
Common warts are small, rough, dome-shaped warts on hands, elbows, and knees.
What is a Water Wart?
Water warts are caused by a pox virus, not HPV. They do not need to be treated, but they can be addressed by some products like wart-off freeze.
Are warts contagious?
Yes, warts can be contagious, and they can be spread by direct or indirect contact.
How can I prevent warts?
You can avoid warts by avoiding direct contact with warts, keeping your skin clean and dry, wearing footwear, and generally practicing good hygiene.