Warts

What are warts?

Warts are noncancerous growths that occur on your skin because of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. They’re typically pretty small and have rough textures. The features and symptoms of your wart depend on the type of wart that you have. Common types are:

Common warts

Common warts are rough on their surfaces and firmer than your normal skin. They’re usually raised above your skin’s surface and might have blood vessels that look like black dots. 

Plantar warts

Plantar warts are very common and appear on the soles of your feet. Because of the pressure on your feet when you stand, these warts are usually flush against your skin’s surface. When you walk, you might feel like you have small rocks stuck in your shoe.

Flat warts

Flat warts can appear nearly anywhere on your body. Kids tend to get them on their faces, men on their chins and jaws, and women on their legs. They’re smaller in size than most other warts but often appear in clusters of 20-100.

Filiform warts

Filiform warts are longer and more slender than other types. They grow quickly and often appear on your face or in your armpits.

How are warts treated?

Dr. Forsha and his team offer a variety of treatment options for warts of all kinds. They create an individualized treatment plan that works with your schedule and preferences. You can either treat your warts in the office or at home.

In-office treatments

In-office treatments for warts include cryotherapy (freezing), minor surgery, and laser treatments. 

Home treatments

If you’d prefer the flexibility of treating your wart at home, the team at Jordan Valley Dermatology Center can prescribe medications like retinoids or antiviral medications to kill the virus or stop the wart from growing. You can also use salicylic acid in the form of an over-the-counter topical product to treat your warts.

How can I prevent warts in the future?

Even though warts are quite common, there are steps you can take to prevent them from growing in the future. You can reduce your risk of coming into contact with wart-causing forms of HPV by:

• Wearing sandals to the pool
• Wearing sandals in communal showers and locker rooms
• Avoiding touching other people’s warts
• Using your own shoes and socks
• Avoiding touching your own warts
• Keeping your hands dry

Your warts can spread to others, so you should try to avoid letting others touch your warts directly or use objects that touched them. It might help to wear bandages over your warts in public settings like pools, offices, and gyms. 

A wart won’t kill you, but it looks unsightly and can spread easily. For expert wart treatment at any age, call Jordan Valley Dermatology Center or book an appointment online today.