wart after diagnosis

Overview

A wart is a small, rough growth on the skin caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts are usually harmless and often go away on their own, but they can be bothersome or spread to other parts of the body.

Yes, warts are very common. Most people will get at least one wart at some point in their life.

Warts can affect people of all ages, but they are most common in children, teenagers, and people with weakened immune systems. They also happen more often in people who use communal showers or pools.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• A small, raised bump on the skin with a rough, firm texture.
• Skin-colored, white, pink, or slightly darker than your normal skin tone.
• Tiny black dots on the surface, which are small clotted blood vessels.
• Warts can appear anywhere, but most often on hands, fingers, knees, and feet.
• Most warts are painless, except plantar warts on the soles of the feet, which can feel tender when you stand or walk.

Symptoms in children

• Children often get warts on their hands, fingers, and around the nails.
• Warts in children are usually harmless and may go away on their own without treatment.
• If a wart becomes painful, bleeds, or changes appearance, a healthcare professional should check it.

Symptoms in older adults

• Warts may look different on older skin and can be confused with other skin growths.
• The immune system may take longer to clear the virus in older adults, so warts may last longer.
• Any new, changing, or bleeding skin growth in an older adult should be checked by a doctor to rule out other conditions.

Causes

Main causes

• Warts are caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).
• The virus enters the body through tiny cuts, scratches, or broken skin.
• It spreads through direct contact with a wart on someone else or on other parts of your own body.
• It can also spread by touching surfaces that have the virus, such as locker room floors, pool decks, or towels.

Risk factors

• Having cuts, scrapes, or dry, cracked skin.
• Walking barefoot in public places like showers, pools, or gyms.
• Biting nails or picking at hangnails, which can create openings for the virus.
• Having a weakened immune system from illness, certain medicines, or other conditions.
• Sharing towels, razors, or other personal items with someone who has a wart.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• See a doctor if a wart causes pain, bleeds, oozes, or changes in appearance.
• See a doctor if you have a wart and a weakened immune system.
• See a doctor quickly if a wart appears on your face, genitals, or in your mouth or nose.

Book a routine appointment if:

• Make a routine appointment if you are not sure whether the growth is a wart.
• See a doctor if you have tried over-the-counter treatments and the wart does not improve.
• Ask your doctor if you have many warts or they keep returning.

Diagnosis

A doctor can usually diagnose a wart just by looking at it. They may use a small magnifying tool called a dermatoscope to get a closer view.

Tests that may be done

• No special tests are needed for most warts.
• In rare cases, if a growth looks unusual, the doctor may take a tiny sample of skin (a biopsy) to send to a laboratory.

What to expect at your appointment

Your doctor will ask about how long the wart has been there, whether it has changed, and if you have had warts before. The examination is quick and usually painless. After that, they will discuss whether treatment is needed and what your options are.

Treatment

Treatment is not always necessary because warts often go away on their own as your immune system fights the virus. If you do treat the wart, it may take several sessions or weeks to see results. The goal is to remove the wart without damaging healthy skin.

Self-care at home

• Keep the area clean and dry, as the virus spreads more easily in moist conditions.
• Cover the wart with a plaster or tape to reduce the chance of spreading it to others.
• Do not pick, scratch, or bite the wart, because this can spread the virus.
• Wear flip-flops or water shoes in communal showers, pools, and locker rooms.
• Try pharmacy-bought wart treatments, such as paints, gels, or plasters, following the instructions carefully.

Medical treatments

Doctors can offer a range of treatments depending on the type, location, and number of warts. These include freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, using prescription-strength topical creams or solutions, and laser treatment. Some treatments aim to train the immune system to fight the virus. Your doctor will recommend what is best for your situation.

When is surgery considered?

If other treatments have not worked and the wart is troublesome, a doctor may suggest a small procedure to remove it. This is done with a sterile scoop or scalpel under local anesthetic, or with electrodesiccation (burning) and curettage (scraping). Surgery is not usually the first choice because it can leave a scar.

Living with this condition

Living with a wart is usually simple. Wash your hands regularly, especially after touching the wart. Use a separate towel for the wart area and change your footwear and socks daily if you have a wart on your foot. Be patient, as warts can take time to go away even with treatment.

Lifestyle tips

• Avoid biting your nails or chewing on the skin around your fingers.
• Use a pumice stone or emery board gently on a moist wart — but never share the tool.
• If you have a wart on your foot, keep it dry and change socks daily.
• Protect yourself and others by covering warts with a plaster during contact sports or swimming.

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet that has been proven to cure warts, but eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables helps keep your immune system strong. Regular exercise and good sleep also support overall health, which may help your body fight off the virus.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Warts can sometimes make people feel embarrassed or self-conscious, especially if they are on the hands or face. It can help to remember that warts are very common and are not a sign of poor hygiene. If you feel anxious or upset about a wart, talk to someone you trust or ask your doctor for advice and reassurance.

Prevention

You cannot always prevent warts, but you can lower your risk by keeping skin clean and dry, avoiding direct contact with warts on other people, wearing footwear in communal areas, and not sharing personal items like towels or razors.

Vaccines

HPV vaccination protects against some strains of the virus that cause certain types of cancer and genital warts, but it does not protect against all warts on the hands or feet. Talk to your doctor about whether the HPV vaccine is recommended for you or your child.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening test for warts on the skin. Most warts are found by looking at them. Regular skin checks at home and by a doctor can help you notice any changes.

Complications

If left untreated

• Warts may spread to other parts of your body or to other people.
• Plantar warts can become bigger and more painful if left untreated, making walking uncomfortable.
• Warts on the face or nails can be harder to treat and may cause cosmetic concerns.
• If you have a weakened immune system, warts may multiply and be more stubborn.

Long-term outlook

The outlook is usually very good. Many warts disappear on their own within a year or two, and with treatment, the chance of clearing them improves. Even if a wart returns, this is common and not a cause for alarm. With patience and proper care, your skin can heal and the wart will not cause you lasting harm.

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