Close-up photograph of warts below lower lip

Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by viral infection; the virus is known as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Warts are skin-coloured rough growths having cauliflower-like appearance or maybe of a flat and smooth texture.

Types:

• Common warts are seen on fingers, around nails, back of hands and feet. Broken skin is required for the spread of virus.
• Foot warts are seen on soles. A cluster of foot warts is known as mosair warts. These can be painful.
• Flat warts are small, smooth surfaced and occur in large numbers (20 to 100). In children flat warts are present on face. Legs are a common site in women.

This virus spreads by contact from person to person. The virus takes several months to appear on the skin.

Treatment:

In children, warts can disappear on their own within few to several months. Bothersome, rapidly spreading warts need treatment.

In adults, warts do not disappear on their own and need treatment. The treatment can range from application of medicine to cryotherapy to electro-cautery. Needling is a treatment developed by this author, which has been found to be helpful in many cases. Laser therapy is a new modality of treatment.

Self treatment with OTC products can be dangerous if warts are confused with other skin growths. Hypnosis works in some cases.

Dr. Kiran Godse Skin Specialist Laksh-Deep Hospital