Warts are small skin bumps that can occur in many different body areas. Warts are caused by a virus and may be spread through skin contact. It can take from two to six months after exposure for a wart to develop. 

There are several different types of warts.

• Common Warts. These grow on the fingers, hands, and toes. Common warts have a rough, grainy appearance.
• Flat Warts. These grow on the face, arms, and thighs. Flat warts may be pink, brown, or yellow and appear to have had the top scraped off.
• Filiform Warts. Usually appear on the mouth, nose, under the chin, or on the neck. They are shaped like a tiny tag of skin and are normal flesh-colored.
• Periungual warts. Warts that grow under and around fingers or toenails. They may be painful and affect nail growth. 
• Plantar warts. These affect the soles of the feet. They may feel like a pebble in your shoe and can be painful. Plantar warts tend to grow inward into the bottom of the foot.

Because warts are spread by contact, the following measures can reduce your chances of developing warts:

• Avoid direct contact with warts
• Do not pick at any warts you may already have
• Don’t bite your fingernails or the skin around your nails
• Avoid brushing, shaving, or clipping areas that have warts

Many common warts will go away without treatment, but it can take several years. If warts are spreading, unsightly, or bothersome, you may decide to have them treated. Options for treating warts include:

• Salicylic acid peeling medicine
• Cryotherapy or freezing
• Other acids
• Surgical removal
• Laser treatment

If you have a wart that you would like evaluated, our healthcare providers can determine what types of treatment may be best for your wart.