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No, you didn’t get that wart from kissing toads—though you may have been told so as a child. Warts are rough growths that form on the skin. Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), they develop when the virus enters the skin through a cut or abrasion. Warts can spread to other parts of the body or to other people through direct contact. Some types may also spread through environmental contamination, such as showers or locker room floors.
Most people will experience warts at some point in their lives. Let’s explore three common types:
While warts are benign (non-cancerous), they can be bothersome. Fortunately, several treatment options are available:
While your dermatologist is here to help with wart removal, you can reduce your risk of spreading or developing warts by following a few simple precautions. This includes avoiding touching warts, including your own—picking at them can cause them to spread. Refrain from biting your fingernails, as this can create tiny breaks in the skin, allowing the virus to enter. And avoid brushing, shaving, or trimming areas around warts. If necessary, use a separate razor or clipper, and a disposable emery board.
If a wart is causing you pain, if over-the-counter treatments aren’t working, if you’re unsure whether a bump is actually a wart, or if you simply want expert care, our dermatology office is just a phone call away with locations in Charlotte, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC.