Warts: What Are They?

A common skin condition for us humans are skin warts. But what are they and how do we get them? Are they dangerous and can they be cured? What different types of warts can infect our skins and how can this embarrassing condition be prevented?

These and many more questions are what we commonly hear patients ask when they consult with their doctor about any ugly skin lesions that they might have developed. Warts is always the first thought that comes to mind. But there is a lot of confusion out there about this skin disease so let's get the facts straight....

COMMON WARTS

Definition: Common warts are small, grainy skin growths that occur most often on your fingers or hands. Rough to the touch, common warts also often feature a pattern of tiny black dots — sometimes called seeds — which are small, clotted blood vessels.

Common warts are caused by a virus and are transmitted by touch. Children and young adults are more likely to develop common warts, as are people who have weakened immune systems. Common warts usually disappear on their own, but many people choose to remove them because they find them bothersome or embarrassing.

Common warts are:

- Small, fleshy, grainy bumps
- Flesh-colored, white, pink or tan
- Rough to the touch

Common warts usually occur on your fingers and hands. They may occur singly or in multiples. Warts may bleed if picked or cut. They often contain tiny black dots, which are small, clotted blood vessels.

When to see a doctor:
Most common warts don't require medical treatment, but some people choose to have their warts treated because they're bothersome, spreading or a cosmetic concern.

Read more: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/common-warts/DS00370/

Now that we know a bit more about these ugly skin growths and where they come from, let's look at the type of signs and symptoms that you should be on the lookout for if you suspect that you might have a wart skin condition....

WARTS: SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

There are a few different types of warts. The type is determined by where it grows on the body and what it looks like. The following describes the signs (what a person sees) and symptoms (what a person feels) for some of the different types of warts.

Common warts (also called vurruca vulgaris)

If you see a wart on your child's face, check your child's hands for warts. The virus that causes warts can spread from the hands to the face through touch or nail biting.

Common warts have these traits:

- Grow most often on the fingers, around the nails, and on the backs of the hands.
- Are more common where skin was broken, such as from biting fingernails or picking at hangnails.
- Can have black dots that look like seeds (often called "seed" warts).
- Most often feel like rough bumps.

Read more: http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/warts/signs-symptoms/warts-signs-and-symptoms

OK, now that we have enough information about this skin disease to recognize a wart when we see one we need to go on to the next step. How can these ugly skin growths be treated and when is it time to go and see the doctor to get some treatment? This is was the experts have to say.....

WART CAUSES

Warts are caused by the DNA-containing human papillomavirus (HPV). There are at least 100 genetically different types of HPVs.

The virus enters the skin after direct contact with recently shed viruses kept alive in warm, moist environments such as a locker room, or by direct contact with an infected person. The entry site is often an area of recent injury. The incubation time (from when the virus is contracted until a wart appears) can be one to eight months.
Contrary to popular mythology, touching a frog will not give a person warts.

When to Seek Medical Care for Warts

When to call the doctor

- Call the doctor if the wart continues to worsen despite home therapy. If you see no improvement in the wart using salicylic acid after 12 weeks, call the doctor for an appointment to discuss other methods of wart removal.
- Call the doctor if the wart changes shape or color. There is the possibility that you are not treating a wart.
- Call the doctor if the wart starts bleeding after only a slight brush or bump or if you have difficulty stopping the bleeding while trimming the wart.
- Anyone with genital warts (vaginal, anal) should see a doctor. The treatments described here are not appropriate for genital warts and should not be used.

Read more: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/warts/page4_em.htm#when_to_seek_medical_care_for_warts

So from the above sources you can gather that a wart infection is not a serious medical condition in most instances. You now also know that this skin disease can be treated easily by your doctor and that it can be cured. Remember not too wait too long if you suspect that you have a Verrucae vulgaris (or common wart) before you get some medical advice and treatment.

Go here for more good information about warts

Here is a good video to demonstrate what warts look like:


CHARLES PATRICK DAVIS, MD, PhD