wart screening test preparation

Overview

Warts are small, rough growths on the skin caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). They are usually harmless and often go away on their own over time.

Yes, warts are very common, especially in children and young adults. Almost everyone will have at least one wart at some point in their life.

Warts can affect people of all ages, but they are most common in children and teenagers. People with weakened immune systems are also more likely to get warts.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Small, rough, cauliflower-like bumps on the skin, most often on hands, fingers, or feet.
• Warts can be skin-colored, pink, or slightly darker than surrounding skin.
• Some warts have tiny black dots (sometimes called 'seeds') – these are small blood vessels.
• Warts on the soles of the feet (plantar warts) may feel like a hard lump and can be painful when walking.

Symptoms in children

• Warts in children look the same as in adults, but they are very common and usually not a cause for concern.
• Children may have multiple warts, especially on the hands and knees.
• Warts can spread quickly in children through scratching or picking.

Symptoms in older adults

• Warts may be less common in older adults because the immune system often fights off the virus over time.
• However, older adults with weakened immune systems may develop more warts or larger growths.
• It's important to have any new skin growth checked by a doctor, as some skin cancers can look similar to warts.

Causes

Main causes

• Warts are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters the body through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin.
• Different types of HPV cause different types of warts (common, plantar, flat, genital, etc.).

Risk factors

• Having close contact with someone who has a wart.
• Walking barefoot in public places like swimming pools, locker rooms, or gyms (for plantar warts).
• Having a weakened immune system (due to illness or medications).
• Biting your nails or picking at hangnails, which creates small openings for the virus.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• A wart that changes color, shape, or size rapidly.
• A wart that bleeds or becomes painful without injury.
• Signs of infection: redness, warmth, swelling, pus.

Book a routine appointment if:

• If a wart is bothersome, painful, or spreading, make a routine appointment with your doctor.
• If you are not sure whether a skin growth is a wart, see a doctor for confirmation.
• If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system and develop a wart on your foot.

Diagnosis

A doctor can usually diagnose a wart just by looking at it. No special preparation is needed.

Tests that may be done

• Visual examination: The doctor looks at the wart and often uses a magnifying tool called a dermatoscope.
• Shave biopsy (rarely needed): If the wart looks unusual, the doctor may remove a small piece to check for other skin conditions.

What to expect at your appointment

Preparing for a wart diagnosis is simple. Clean the area as you normally would. Avoid applying any creams or treatments right before the visit. Tell the doctor when the wart first appeared, whether it has changed, and any treatments you have tried. The examination is quick and painless.

Treatment

Many warts go away without treatment over months to years. If treatment is needed, the goal is to remove the wart and stimulate the immune system to fight the virus. Treatments may take several sessions.

Self-care at home

• Over-the-counter wart treatments containing salicylic acid can be applied at home. Follow package instructions carefully.
• Cover the wart with a bandage or medical tape after treatment to help the medicine work and prevent spread.
• Soak the wart in warm water for 10–15 minutes before applying treatment.
• Gently file the top of the wart with an emery board or pumice stone between treatments (do not share with others).

Medical treatments

A doctor can offer stronger treatments, such as cryotherapy (freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen), prescription creams that boost the immune system, or laser therapy. Your doctor will choose the best option based on the type and location of the wart.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely needed for warts. In some cases, if other treatments fail, a doctor may cut out the wart (excision) or use an electric needle (curettage and cautery). This is usually done in the doctor's office with local anesthesia.

Living with this condition

Living with warts is usually straightforward. Most warts don't cause problems and can be ignored. If you are treating a wart, be patient—it can take weeks or months. Avoid picking or scratching warts to prevent spreading.

Lifestyle tips

• Wash your hands thoroughly after touching a wart.
• Do not share towels, razors, or shoes with others.
• Wear flip-flops or water shoes in public pools, locker rooms, and showers to prevent plantar warts.
• If you bite your nails, try to stop because nail biting can spread warts around the fingers.

Diet and exercise

There is no specific diet to treat warts, but eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables supports your immune system, which helps fight the virus. Exercise is fine and does not affect warts directly.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Warts are usually harmless, but they can sometimes cause embarrassment or self-consciousness, especially if they are on visible areas like the hands or face. This is normal. Remember that warts are very common and most go away on their own.

Prevention

It is not always possible to prevent warts because the virus that causes them is common and spreads easily. However, you can lower your risk.

Vaccines

The HPV vaccine protects against some types of HPV that cause genital warts and certain cancers. It does not protect against the common types of HPV that cause hand and foot warts. Discuss the vaccine with your doctor.

Screening programmes

There is no standard screening test for warts. You can check your own skin regularly for new growths and see a doctor if you notice any changes.

Complications

If left untreated

• Warts may spread to other parts of your body or to other people.
• In people with weakened immune systems, warts can grow large, multiply, and become difficult to treat.
• Very rarely, some HPV types can lead to cancer (such as cervical cancer), but the types that cause common hand and foot warts do not cause cancer.

Long-term outlook

For most people, warts are a minor, temporary skin issue. They almost always go away on their own, even without treatment. Treatments can speed up recovery but are not always necessary. The outlook is excellent, and warts do not cause serious health problems for the vast majority of people.

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