Warts are caused by the Human Papilomavirus. HPV enters the body in an area of broken skin. The virus causes the top layers of the infected skin to grow rapidly, producing a wart. The body has a hard time eliminating warts because warts hide in our own cells where the immune system cannot find or recognize them as being foreign. However, over time, sometimes years, the immune system finally “discovers” the wart virus and produces anti-bodies against it. At this point, all the warts are attacked and eliminated.
Warts can occur anywhere on the body. There are many different kinds of warts. “Common warts” appear most often on the hands, but they may appear anywhere on the body. They are rough, gray-brown, dome-shaped growths. “Plantar warts” occur on the bottom of the feet, are hard, thick patches of skin with dark specks inside the growth.
Flat warts are found on the face, arms, or legs. They are small (about 2-4 mm in diameter), have flat surfaces. and are pink, light brown, dark brown, or skin-colored yellow.
Filiform warts are generally found around the mouth, on or in the nose, or in the beard area. They are flesh-colored with jagged fingerlike edges.
Periungual warts are found under and around the toenails and fingernails. They appear as rough, irregular bumps. These warts are very painful to treat as the fingers are very sensitve with lots of nerve endings.
Genital warts occur on the genitals, around the anus, within the rectum or vagina, or on the cervix. Don’t use cryotherapy or salicylic therapy on genital warts – consult with an MD.
