Medical Dermatology

Warts

Warts are small, rough growths that resemble hard blisters or cauliflower-like configurations.

Warts are caused by a virus (specifically, one of the many types of human papillomavirus). There are as many as 10 types of warts, including common warts, genital warts, flat warts, and plantar warts. While harmless for the most part, warts can be unsightly, uncomfortable, and recurrent. In rare instances, long-standing untreated warts may degenerate into squamous cell carcinoma.

While there are many over-the-counter treatments for warts, none are as effective as a physician’s diagnosis and specific treatment. Treatment options are guided by the wart’s size, type, and location. Treatment is usually designed to destroy the wart while doing the least harm to healthy surrounding tissue, or using the body’s immune system to attack and destroy the wart. In very stubborn cases, warts may be surgically removed.

Hand wart

Wart magnified