Warts

Description

Introduction

A wart is typically a small growth with a rough texture that appears on a person's hands or feet; it can look like a solid blister or a small cauliflower. Warts are caused by viruses, specifically HPV (human papillomavirus).

Warts are small lumps that often develop on the skin of the hands and feet.

Warts vary in appearance and may develop singly or in clusters. Some are more likely to affect particular areas of the body. For example, verrucas are warts that usually develop on the soles of the feet.

Warts are non-cancerous, but can resemble certain cancers.

Most people will have warts at some point in their life. They tend to affect children and teenagers more than adults.

Causes

Warts are caused by certain strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus is present in the skin cells of a wart.

HPV is a family of viruses that affects the skin and moist membranes (mucosa) of the body.

There are more than 100 different strains of HPV.

Symptoms:

Common warts usually occur on your fingers or hands and may be:

Small, fleshy, grainy bumps.

Flesh-colour, white, pink or tan.

Rough to the touch.

Sprinkled with black pinpoints, which are small, clotted blood vessels.