Complete Guide to Warts

Warts are fleshy skin growths that occur on various parts of the body, including the hands, bottom of the feet, and on the genitals. 

Warts are caused by various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). 

What is HPV?

HPV is an extremely common virus. In fact, nearly every person will contract the virus at some point in his or her life. 

Some strains of HPV are spread through touch, while other strains are spread through sexual contact.

The majority of HPV infections clear up on their own within two years.

However, some strains of HPV infection can cause certain kinds of cancer:

• Cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, and vaginal cancer in women; HPV-16 and HPV-18 cause 70% of cervical cancers and pre-cancers
• Penile cancer in men; HPV-16 and HPV-18 are responsible for 31% of penile cancers
• Anal and oropharyngeal cancer in both sexes; HPV-16 is reponsible for the majority of cases of these cancers

Other strains of HPV cause warts:

• Common warts
• Plantar warts
• Genital warts

Common warts are small and typically occur on the hands and fingers. Common warts are typically caused by HPV-1, HPV-2 and HPV-4, which is spread through skin-to-skin contact. Most common warts are not painful and typically clear up on their own without treatment.

Plantar warts are larger, more painful warts that occur on the soles of the feet. Plantar warts are strongly associated with HPV-1, HPV-2 and HPV-4 infection. Plantar warts are spread through an HPV infection that lives on the outer layer of skin on the bottoms of the feet. The majority of people who contract the virus that causes plantar warts will never develop them. Children and teenagers, people who are immunocompromised and those who walk barefoot in locker rooms are more likely to develop plantar warts. 

Genital warts are soft, fleshy growths that occur on the skin of the genitals. These warts can be painful and itchy. They may clear up on their own, but are likely to return unless they are treated. Genital warts are caused by multiple strains of the human papillomavirus, including HSV-16 and HSV-18, which are strongly associated with cervical, penile, anal and oropharyngeal cancers. Gential warts are spread through sexual contact. 

Because many strains of HPV are spread through skin-to-skin contact, there is almost no way to prevent infection. Many children contract HPV when they are infants or young children, but the virus lays dormant and never causes any symptoms. 

The most effective way to prevent the development of common warts is to regularly wash your hands and try not to get small cuts or abrasions on your hands that can easily transmit an HPV virus. 

There are ways to prevent the development of warts, especially plantar and genital warts. 

To prevent plantar warts, you should:

• Avoid walking barefoot in locker rooms or in other warm, moist environments 
• Avoid contact with warts, including your own; if you do touch a wart, wash your hands thoroughly afterward

To avoid developing gential warts, you should:

• Receive the HPV vaccine before age 26 or before being infected with dangerous strains of HPV
• Do not have sexual contact with someone who has genital warts
• Always use a condom during sexual intercourse

Symptoms of warts include:

• Small, textured, fleshy bumps that commonly appear on the hands, fingers, soles of the feet, genitals and anus
• Bumps that are white, pink or darker than your natural skin color
• Bumps that have darkened dots in the raised area
• Genital warts can cause itching or discomfort 
• Plantar warts cause pain or tenderness when walking

Treatments for common warts include:

• Peeling medication typically made of salicylic acid
• Cryotherapy (wart freezing)
• Prescription peeling acids (can only be obtained through a healthcare professional)
• In-office wart remove (performed in a doctor's office)
• Laser therapy 

If you suffer from painful or unsightly warts, it's important to visit your healthcare professional to learn about your options. You may be a good candidate for simple wart treatments or medications.