preventing wart

Overview

Warts are small, rough growths on your skin caused by a virus. They are usually harmless and often go away on their own.

Very common. Most people will have a wart at some point in their lives.

Warts can affect anyone, but they are especially common in children and teenagers. People with weakened immune systems are also more likely to get them.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Small, rough bump on the skin
• Flesh-colored, pink, or slightly darker than your skin
• May have tiny black dots (which are tiny blood vessels)

Symptoms in children

• Warts often appear on hands, fingers, and knees
• They rarely cause pain unless on the bottom of the foot
• Children may have several warts that spread easily

Symptoms in older adults

• Warts can be more stubborn and last longer
• Changes in a wart's appearance should be checked by a doctor
• Older adults are more likely to have other skin growths, so a doctor should confirm what it is

Causes

Main causes

• Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
• The virus enters the body through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin.

Risk factors

• Touching warts on yourself or another person
• Walking barefoot in public showers, pools, or gyms
• Biting your nails or picking at hangnails
• Having a weakened immune system

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Same-day care if you have a weak immune system and a wart shows signs of infection (redness, swelling, pain).
• Urgent if you are not sure the growth is a wart and you have other symptoms.

Book a routine appointment if:

• See a doctor if a wart is painful, grows, spreads, or changes in appearance.
• If you are an adult with a new wart, a doctor can confirm the diagnosis.
• If over-the-counter treatments have not worked after several weeks.

Diagnosis

A doctor can usually tell if a growth is a wart just by looking at it. They may use a handheld magnifying lens to see it more closely.

Tests that may be done

• Most warts do not need tests.
• In rare cases, a doctor may take a small sample (biopsy) to rule out other conditions.

What to expect at your appointment

The visit is quick and painless. The doctor will examine the wart and ask about your symptoms and any history of warts.

Treatment

There is no single best treatment for warts. The right option depends on the location, size, and your overall health.

Self-care at home

• Keep the wart covered with a bandage to prevent spreading.
• Do not pick, scratch, or bite the wart.
• Use a pumice stone gently to smooth the wart after soaking it in warm water.

Medical treatments

Your doctor can offer treatments such as freezing the wart (cryotherapy), laser therapy, or prescription topical creams and solutions. All options work gradually, and you may need more than one visit.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery to cut out a wart is rarely needed. It may be considered for warts that do not respond to other treatments.

Living with this condition

Warts can be managed at home. Keep the skin clean and dry, and avoid sharing personal items like towels, socks, or nail clippers.

Lifestyle tips

• Wash your hands after touching a wart.
• Wear waterproof sandals or flip-flops in public showers and pool areas.
• Do not shave over a wart to avoid spreading it.

Diet and exercise

Eating a balanced diet and getting regular physical activity can help your immune system, which may help fight the virus that causes warts.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Warts can feel embarrassing, but they are very common and treatable. If you feel upset about them, talk to your doctor or a trusted friend.

Prevention

It is not always possible to prevent warts, but you can lower your risk by avoiding close contact with warts and keeping your skin healthy.

Vaccines

The HPV vaccine helps protect against certain types of HPV that cause warts and other health problems. Ask your doctor about it.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening for warts. Checking your skin and seeing a doctor if you notice a new growth is a good habit.

Complications

If left untreated

• The wart may spread to other parts of your body or to other people.
• Warts on the feet can become painful when you walk or stand.

Long-term outlook

Warts are often stubborn, but most go away within a year or two. Treatments can remove them faster, and even when they come back, they can be treated again. For most people, warts are a minor skin issue that improves.

Find support

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.