What are warts?
Warts are skin growths caused by various strains of HPV. They can show up on any part of your body.
Warts are very contagious and spread when you come in direct contact with a wart or touch something that came in contact with a wart (like a shared towel). You’re at greater risk of getting an HPV infection that causes warts if your skin is cut or otherwise damaged.
What are the types of warts?
There are six types of warts:
Common warts
Common warts appear as rough skin-colored bumps. They can also have small black dots, commonly called seeds. Common warts usually grow on the hands, fingers, and toes.
Plantar warts
Plantar warts grow on the soles of the feet. These warts can be flat or grow deep into the sole of your foot. They can also cause discomfort and pain.
Flat warts
Flat warts, also called plane warts, are smaller and smoother than other warts and grow in clusters. They typically appear on the hands, face, and legs.
Filiform warts
Filiform warts are threadlike growths that most often appear around the eyes, mouth, and nose. These warts grow quickly.
Genital warts
Genital warts are small, flesh-colored bumps found on the genitals of men and women. They are transmitted through sexual contact.
Periungual warts
Periungual warts grow under the nails or around the fingers.
How do I know the type of warts I have?
The experienced dermatologists at LUX Dermatology can determine the type of warts you have after a visual exam. However, in some cases, they’ll take a skin biopsy to confirm a wart diagnosis and rule out other skin conditions.
How are warts treated?
Warts often go away on their own without treatment. But they don’t always disappear quickly. LUX Dermatology offers several treatment choices to get rid of your warts:
Cantharidin
Cantharidin is a medication your dermatologist applies to the wart during an in-office visit. The medication causes a blister to form under the wart, cutting off its blood supply. Your dermatologist has you return to the office in a week to remove the wart.
Cryotherapy
The team often recommends cryotherapy (freezing) for common warts. The treatment causes little pain, so the dermatologists will recommend cryotherapy for their pediatric dermatology patients.
Electrosurgery and curettage
For common, filiform, and plantar warts, the team can use electrosurgery and curettage to burn and remove the warts.
Excision
During an excision, your dermatologist uses a scalpel to cut the wart out of the skin.
Call LUX Dermatology today or book an appointment online to schedule an evaluation for your warts.
