Warts are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). This common virus enters the skin through tiny cuts, scratches, or weak spots, leading to extra skin growth that forms a wart.

There are many different types of HPV, and each tends to cause warts in specific areas of the body — for example, common warts on the hands, plantar warts on the feet, or flat warts on the face or legs.

Warts spread through direct contact — either from touching a wart on yourself (called autoinoculation) or from another person who has one. The virus can also spread indirectly through shared objects or surfaces, such as towels, razors, gym equipment, or pool areas.

Warts can look and feel different depending on their type and where they appear, but they all share a few common features.

Typical signs of warts include:

• Small, rough bumps on the skin
• Raised or flat growths, sometimes with a rough, grainy surface
• Flesh-colored, white, pink, or brown appearance
• Black dots (tiny clotted blood vessels) that may look like seeds inside the wart
• Itching, tenderness, or pain, especially on areas that get pressure, like the feet

Different types of warts can appear in different places:

• Common warts: Usually on the hands, fingers, or around nails; rough and dome-shaped
• Plantar warts: On the soles of the feet; may feel like walking on pebbles and can be painful
• Flat warts: Smooth, flat-topped, and often appear in clusters on the face, legs, or arms
• Filiform warts: Long, thin growths often found on the face, around the mouth, eyes, or nose
• Periungual warts: Around fingernails or toenails; can distort nail growth

Warts are harmless, and some may disappear on their own over time — but this can take months or even years. If warts are painful, spreading, or bothersome, or if you just want them gone faster, your dermatologist can help with safe and effective treatment options.

Common treatments include:

1. Topical medications: Prescription-strength creams, gels, or solutions containing salicylic acid or other ingredients help peel away the wart layer by layer.
2. Cryotherapy (freezing): The wart is frozen with liquid nitrogen, causing it to blister and fall off after a few treatments.
3. Electrosurgery or curettage: The wart is carefully burned and removed under local anesthesia.
4. Laser therapy: A precise laser targets and destroys the blood supply to the wart, helping it fade over time.
5. Immunotherapy: For stubborn or recurring warts, treatments that stimulate your body’s immune system to fight the virus may be recommended.”

Most wart treatments are quick and done right in the dermatologist’s office, with little to no downtime. You can usually return to your normal activities the same day.

After treatment:

• The treated area may be sore, red, or form a small blister or scab for a few days.
• Keeping the area clean and covered can help it heal faster.
• Avoid picking at the area to prevent infection or scarring.
• Follow your dermatologist’s instructions carefully — this may include applying a topical medication at home between visits.

Warts often clear after a few treatments, but some may need multiple sessions depending on their size, location, and how long they’ve been present.

Once removed, most people see smooth, healthy skin return within a few weeks. However, because the virus that causes warts can stay in the skin, new warts can occasionally appear later. Practicing good skin care and avoiding direct contact with warts (your own or someone else’s) can reduce the risk of recurrence.”

1. Are warts contagious?

Yes. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can spread through direct contact with a wart or indirectly through shared objects like towels, razors, or surfaces in places such as pools or gyms.

2. Will my wart go away on its own?

Sometimes. Many warts eventually disappear without treatment, but this can take months or even years. If a wart is painful, spreading, or bothersome, your dermatologist can help remove it more quickly.

3. Can I treat warts at home?

Over-the-counter treatments that contain salicylic acid can help with mild warts. However, warts that are large, painful, on the face, or not improving with home care should be treated by a dermatologist.”