screening for wart

Overview

A wart is a small, rough growth on the skin caused by a common virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV). Screening for warts simply means having your skin checked carefully by a doctor or nurse to see if any bumps or growths are warts or something else.

Yes, warts are extremely common. Almost everyone will have at least one wart at some point in their life.

Warts affect people of all ages, but they are most often seen in children and teenagers. They can also be more common in people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Small, raised, rough bump on the skin
• Flesh-colored, pink, or slightly darker than your skin
• Tiny black dots on the surface (clotted blood vessels)
• Found most often on hands, fingers, feet, knees, and face

Symptoms in children

• Warts in children look similar to those in adults, often appearing on hands, knees, and around nails.
• They may itch or be uncomfortable but are usually painless.
• Many children's warts disappear without treatment.

Symptoms in older adults

• Warts can appear later in life, but new growths in older adults should always be checked by a doctor.
• They may take longer to go away in older skin.
• It is important to make sure a new bump is not a different skin condition, such as a skin cancer.

Causes

Main causes

• Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters through small cuts or breaks in the skin
• Skin-to-skin contact with a wart or touching surfaces where the virus lives, like shower floors or pool decks
• Scratching or picking at a wart can spread the virus to other parts of your body

Risk factors

• Having cuts or scrapes on your skin
• Walking barefoot in public showers, pools, or locker rooms
• Biting your nails or picking at hangnails
• Having a weakened immune system, for example from illness or medication

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• See a doctor the same day if a wart becomes severely painful, shows signs of infection, or changes quickly.

Book a routine appointment if:

• Make an appointment if a wart is uncomfortable, spreading, or you would like it removed.
• Also see a doctor if you are over 50 and a new growth appears, to be safe.

Diagnosis

A doctor can usually tell if a skin bump is a wart just by looking at it. Sometimes they use a small handheld magnifying device called a dermatoscope to get a closer view.

Tests that may be done

• Visual examination by a doctor or nurse
• Dermatoscopy (a magnifying tool to look at the skin)
• In rare cases, a small sample of the wart may be sent for testing if there is doubt.

What to expect at your appointment

Your doctor will ask how long the bump has been there, whether it has changed, and whether it hurts. The examination is quick and painless. If a biopsy is needed, the skin will be numbed first.

Treatment

Warts often go away on their own, but treatment can speed this up, reduce symptoms, and lower the chance of spreading. The right treatment depends on where the wart is, your age, and your health.

Self-care at home

• Keep the wart area clean and dry.
• Avoid picking, scratching, or biting warts, as this can spread the virus.
• Wear cotton socks and comfortable shoes if a wart is on your foot.
• Put a protective pad or bandage over the wart to stop it rubbing.

Medical treatments

A doctor can use treatments such as freezing the wart (cryotherapy), applying strong topical medicines, laser treatment, or small procedures to remove it. A pharmacist can also recommend over-the-counter wart products for use at home. Always ask a healthcare professional which approach is safe for you.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery may be considered for warts that do not respond to other treatments, cause ongoing pain, or are unusual in any way. This is usually a minor procedure done under local anesthetic.

Living with this condition

Having warts is usually nothing serious. You can live normally, but be mindful not to share towels, razors, or other personal items. Cover warts with a waterproof bandage when swimming or using public showers.

Lifestyle tips

• Wear flip-flops or shower shoes in public wet areas.
• Avoid touching other people's warts.
• Do not scratch or pick at your own warts.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after touching a wart.

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet that cures warts, but eating well and staying active help keep your immune system strong. A healthy immune system can fight off the virus more effectively.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Warts can sometimes make people feel self-conscious, especially if they are on visible areas like the hands or face. Remember that warts are very common, harmless, and treatable. If they are bothering you, talk to your doctor about removal options.

Prevention

It is not always possible to prevent warts, but you can reduce your risk by avoiding direct contact with warts, keeping skin intact and moisturized, and practicing good hand hygiene.

Vaccines

The HPV vaccine protects against certain high-risk types of HPV, but it does not prevent all common skin warts. Ask your healthcare provider if the vaccine is right for you.

Screening programmes

There is no routine national screening for skin warts. However, it is a good idea to check your skin regularly for any new or changing growths and see a doctor if you have concerns.

Complications

If left untreated

• Warts may spread to other areas of the body or to other people.
• Some warts can become painful, especially on the soles of the feet.
• Rarely, a wart may bleed or become infected from scratching.

Long-term outlook

The outlook for warts is very good. Most warts clear up on their own within two years, and treatments are effective for many people. Even stubborn warts usually respond eventually, and there are many safe options to help.

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