Warts
(Common Warts)

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Medical Author:

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Warts are local growths in the skin that are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
• Types of warts include common warts, flat warts, plantar warts, periungual warts, and filiform warts.
• Warts typically disappear on their own with time, but it may take years.
• Warts respond variably to treatment measures.
• Over-the-counter treatments for warts include salicylic-acid preparations and freezing kits.
• Warts may recur following treatment.

Common warts are local growths in the skin that are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. There are over 100 types of HPVs. Some HPV types infect the genital tract and cause genital warts and cancers of the anal and genital regions. Other, different HPV types are responsible for common skin warts. Although warts are considered to be contagious, it is common for just one family member to have them. In addition, they often affect just one part of the body (such as the hands or the feet) but they can be spread to other areas by picking them.

• There is the familiar type of dome-shaped warts on the backs of fingers, toes, and knees.
• Plantar warts are found on the bottom of the foot. (The "plantar" part of the foot. These are not "Planter's warts.")
• Flat ("plane") warts may arise on the face, legs, and other parts of the body, often in large numbers.
• Periungual warts are warts around or under the nail.
• Filiform warts typically appear as a single long stalk, often on the face.

Picture of a common wart