June 28, 2025
Warts are common skin growth that many people encounter at some point in their lives. It might not be dangerous, but they can be annoying, embarrassing, and sometimes painful. You may have them on your finger, foot, or even near your eye. While often harmless, they can be unsightly, uncomfortable, and sometimes persistent. Understanding what causes them, how you can get them removed safely, and are they contagious, can empower you to take effective action.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about this common skin issue in a clear and easy-to-understand way.
It is a small skin growth caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters the skin through a tiny cut or scratch, leading to extra skin cell growth, which creates a raised bump.
These growths can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp, nose, near eye, and even eyelid.
You might hear “wart” and “verruca.” They’re generally the same, just often used for different body areas.
Did you know? Those little black dots inside a wart aren’t roots or seeds, but just tiny clotted blood vessels that supplied the growth.
The main reason for it is HPV infection. There are more than 100 strains of HPV, and different types cause different kinds of warts. You might get the virus by:
Did you know? Warts are contagious, but they don’t spread like common cold or influenza. It usually involves broken skin and direct contact for transmission.
Not all warts look the same. Here’s how to identify them based on their sites and behavior:
| TYPES OF WART | APPEARANCE | COMMON SITES | NOTES |
| Common | Rough, raised bumps, often with black dots | Hands, fingers, knees, elbows, or any parts of the body | Usually asymptomatic |
| Plantar | Hard, grainy growths | Soles of the feet or between the toes | May hurt while walking Should be differentiated from callus |
| Flat or plane | Small, smooth, skin colored, flat-topped lesions | Face, dorsum of the hand | Usually affects children |
| Filiform | Long, thin, thread-like projections | Face, around the eyes and mouth | Grow quickly Should be differentiated from skin tags |
| Periungual | Rough, irregular growths | Around fingernails and toenails | Can cause pain and nail damage |
| Genital | Grayish small papules or pediculated grayish cauliflower mass (condyloma acuminatum) | Vulva, vagina, Cervix in female Glans and penis shaft in male | Transmitted through sexual contact Sexual partners of genital warts patients should be examined and followed for 2 years. Complications: If it gets worse, it can form Condyloma acuminatum of the cervix. This could be huge enough to obstruct normal delivery, leading to c-section. It can lead to intraepithelial neoplasia, a precancerous condition involving abnormal cell growth. |
Genital warts, should be evaluated by a dermatologist as soon as possible to mitigate their growth and get the proper treatment.
Most of them are harmless, but they can cause:
There are various methods for treatment, ranging from home remedies to professional treatments:
| Method | How It Works | Used for | Pros | Risks |
| 1. Cryotherapy | Liquid nitrogen freezes tissue | Fingers, hands, feet, and joints | Effective, minimal downtime | Blistering, discomfort, and multiple sessions may be needed |
| 2. Laser Removal | Laser cuts the blood supply to them, destroying the tissue. | Stubborn or recurring (e.g. under nail) | Highly precise, fast, lower recurrence risk | Expensive, possible scarring or pigment change |
| 3. Electrocautery | Burning the tissues until it is destroyed | All types except those needing cryotherapy | Immediate result | Possible scarring |
| 4. Chemical cautery | Doctor-applied blistering agent causes it to peel off in 1–2 weeks. | Common and plane (mostly in children) | No cutting, painless during application | Blister discomfort, may need multiple treatments |
Warts and skin tags are both skin bumps, but they’re not the same.
Skin tags are soft, harmless skin flaps and are not contagious, nor are they caused by a virus. They are benign overgrowths of skin. They’re more common in people with diabetes, obesity, or hormonal changes.
| Treatment Option | Used for Warts | Used for Skin Tags |
| Cryotherapy | Yes | Sometimes used for small skin tags |
| Surgical Excision | No | Yes, it offers quick removal |
| Chemical cautery | Yes | Not typically used for skin tags |
| Laser Removal | Yes, especially for stubborn or if they are on the face | Yes – effective for hard-to-reach skin tags |
Prevention starts with simple habits:
Warts are common, but effective treatment is available. Book with Reem Hospital’s top dermatologists in Abu Dhabi for a tailored plan. Understanding the cause and getting expert care helps you say goodbye to them. Remember, they’re contagious, so act early!
Reference: AAD
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