What are Warts?

Warts are benign, noncancerous, skin growths that appear when a virus infects the top layer of the skin. They are caused by human papillomavirus or HPV. Wart viruses are contagious and can spread by contact with a wart or something that has touched a wart. Warts are usually the result of direct contact with the skin of an infected person or contact with wet areas that can hold the virus like pool or showers.

Symptoms and Signs of Warts

Warts come in many different forms, including dome-shaped, plantar, periungual, flat, and filiform. Each type of wart has a distinctive appearance, making them fairly easy to recognize.

Dome-Shaped– These warts are the most recognizable, and can appear on the backs of fingers, toes, and knees. They have small black dots on the surfaces, which are the multiple clotted capillaries.

Plantar– These warts are found on the soles of the feet. Palmar warts, which are found on the palms of the hands, appear similar in appearance.

Flat– Flat warts can appear on the face, legs, and other areas of the body in large numbers.
Periungual- These are warts that have formed under or around a nail.

Filiform– Filiform warts appear as a single, long stalk, and often appear on the face.

Wart Treatments

There are many treatment options for warts such as chemical removal, electrosurgery, laser surgery, cryosurgery, topical or surgical excision. The type of treatment used will depend on the type of wart present.

If you have a wart that you would like treated, contact Dr. Shauna Diggs’ office today to schedule a consultation.