Warts come in many shapes and varieties and can affect almost every part of the human body. A comprehensive description of each of the main types of wart is found in a recent Allure article entitled, “The Ultimate Guide to Every Type of Wart and How to Treat It.”
At Park Avenue Dermatology, we see and manage many types of skin issues and concerns. Warts are very common, and generally are easy to treat. All warts are caused by HPV, the human papillomavirus – even warts not located in the genital region.
Since warts are caused by a virus, children and those with a lowered immune system are thought to be more at risk for getting them. Any exposure to HPV can also increase the likelihood of warts.
There are five main types of warts:
- Common warts
- Foot warts, or Plantar warts
- Flat warts
- Filiform warts
- Genital warts
Common warts are frequently found on the fingers and can easily spread to other areas of the body, including the face. Seed warts are Common warts with a black dot in them. Generally, these are harmless.
Foot warts are usually on the soles of the feet and are thick. Children frequently get them.
Flat warts are small and flat and appear in groups of up to 100. They commonly appear on the face, back of the hands, or legs.
Filiform warts are spiky protrusions that often grow on the face. They grow rapidly but are harmless.
Two strains of HPV cause almost 90% of genital warts. Unlike other types of warts, genital warts can be cancerous and must be evaluated by a doctor. Your dermatologist will want to screen for cancer.
Warts are highly contagious, not only spreading to various areas on your own body, but also contagious to anyone else who comes in contact with the virus. Any wart that is bleeding or growing in size needs to be evaluated immediately.
At Park Avenue Dermatology, we offer a variety of solutions depending on the type and location of the wart. If you notice a wart, make an appointment to have it evaluated and treated.
