Which wart do i have

Given that common warts are generally non-serious, some people may choose to try and treat them at home, possibly after visiting a pharmacy, before seeking professional medical advice. Common techniques for doing this include: [16]. It can take a significant amount of time before home remedies make a difference, and they may not result in wart removal or cause side effects. If treatments prove ineffective or side effects are strong or worrying, seeking professional medical advice is recommended.

It can be difficult to fully avoid contracting common warts, and most people experience them at some point in their life. However, certain preventative measures can help reduce the risk. These include: [19]. If a person already has warts, they should take steps to avoid spreading the virus to other areas of the body or to other people.

They can:. Q: Are common warts contagious by touch? A: The virus that causes common warts, human papillomavirus HPV , is contagious. Children and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of contracting HPV, which can be spread through skin-to-skin contact or through contact with an object or surface carrying the virus. The risk of contracting HPV is especially high in warm, wet conditions, such as those found at a swimming pool or in a locker room.

Q: Are common warts HPV? A: Common warts are caused by infection with human papillomavirus HPV , which is an umbrella term for over types of viruses.

Certain strains of HPV can cause common warts to develop on the hands, fingers and other non-genital areas of the body. Other strains of HPV can cause different types of warts to appear on different parts of the body, including sexually transmittable genital warts , or different conditions altogether, including, in rare cases, cervical cancer or anal cancer. Q: Are common warts the same as genital warts? A: No, common warts are not the same as genital warts. Though both types of wart are caused by the HPV group of viruses, the strains that cause each type are different and so are the methods of transmission.

Common warts cannot spread to the pubic area and genital warts cannot spread to the hands or other parts of the body. Q: Can you get a common wart on your arm? A: Yes. Though common warts often develop on the hands or fingers, they can also appear anywhere else on the body other than the genital area.

Q: What is the difference between common warts and plantar warts? A: Both common warts and plantar warts are a product of the human papillomavirus HPV group of viruses. Unlike plantar warts, however, common warts can develop anywhere on the body, though most typically grow on the hands and fingers. Plantar warts are found on the feet only. Q: What is the difference between common warts and water warts?

A: Common warts are caused by infection with HPV. Water warts, also known as molluscum contagiosum, are caused by infection with the molluscum contagiosum virus.

The infection causes small, painless raised bumps or lesions on the skin, which often appear in groups and typically clear up on their own. These warts are called mucosal warts.

The HPV strain that causes genital warts can also cause certain types of cancer. For this reason, a person who thinks they may have genital warts should see a doctor immediately.

HPV viruses cause warts. Warts occur when one of these viruses infects the top layer of the skin. The AAD state that warts are more likely to develop when a person has a small cut or other skin damage. Warts tend to spread more easily on moist skin. Genital warts spread through sexual contact with someone who has them, via oral, vaginal, or anal sex.

According to the AAD , the people most at risk of warts are:. A person who thinks they have a wart can visit a dermatologist. The dermatologist will inspect the wart and may perform a biopsy or conduct other treatments to remove the wart. Warts will often clear up on their own, especially in children. However, there are treatments available. A person with painful, stubborn, or multiple warts can visit a dermatologist for treatment. According to the AAD , the dermatologist may use one of the following treatments depending on the type of wart a person has:.

A dermatologist will apply cantharidin to the wart, causing a blister to form underneath. After a week or so, the person can return to the dermatologist to have the wart clipped away. Cryotherapy involves freezing the wart off. As the nitrogen is extremely cold, it may cause a brief burning sensation on the skin. Cryotherapy may need several attempts. A very cold spray dimethyl ether propane is also available from pharmacies, which you can apply yourself.

You should avoid using this spray on your face. Evidence suggests these sprays are not as effective as cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen. Warts can also be treated using chemical treatments available on prescription. The treatments contain chemicals such as:. These chemicals are applied to the warts to kill affected skin cells.

Potential side effects include the skin being stained brown with glutaraldehyde and burns to the surrounding skin with silver nitrate. If you are pregnant and have warts, your pharmacist may recommend using salicylic acid, cryotherapy or duct tape.

Salicylic acid can be used to treat warts during pregnancy, as long as it is used on a small area for a limited period of time. Most people will be infected by the human papilloma virus HPV at some point in their life and develop warts.

However, there are steps you can take to lower your chances of getting warts and prevent spreading them to others, if you have them. If you have a wart or verruca, you should cover it up when taking part in communal activities. For example, you should:.

Home Illnesses and conditions Skin, hair and nails Warts and verrucas. Warts and verrucas See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About warts and verrucas 2. Symptoms of warts and verrucas 3. Causes of warts and verrucas 4. Treating warts and verrucas 5. Preventing warts and verrucas. About warts and verrucas Warts are small lumps that often develop on the skin of the hands and feet. Warts are non-cancerous, but can resemble certain cancers.

What causes warts? Warts are caused by an infection with the human papilloma virus HPV. Are warts contagious? When to get professional advice. Pharmacy First Scotland: Warts and verrucas treatment from your pharmacy If you have warts or verrucas you can get advice and treatment directly from a pharmacy. Find your local pharmacy on Scotland's Service Directory. Your pharmacist may advise you to see your GP if you have a wart that: bleeds changes in appearance spreads causes you significant pain, distress or embarrassment Treating warts Most warts are harmless and clear up without treatment.

Common methods of treatment include: salicylic acid cryotherapy freezing the skin cells chemical treatments Treatment for warts is not always completely effective, and a wart will sometimes return following treatment.

Surgery is not usually recommended for warts. Symptoms of warts and verrucas Warts are not usually painful, but some types, such as verrucas, may hurt. Common warts verruca vulgaris If you have a common wart, it will: be round or oval-shaped be firm and raised have a rough, irregular surface similar to a cauliflower often develop on the knuckles, fingers and knees vary in size, from less than 1mm to more than 10mm 1cm in diameter You may develop one common wart or several.

Verrucas plantar warts Verrucas usually develop on the soles of the feet. The affected area of skin will: be white, often with a black dot blood vessel in the centre be flat rather than raised sometimes be painful if they are on a weight-bearing part of the foot Plane warts It is possible to have between one and several hundred plane warts, which can develop in clusters. They are usually: a yellowish colour smooth, round and flat-topped mm in diameter common in young children — mainly affecting the hands, face and legs Plane warts can sometimes develop on the lower legs of women, as the human papilloma virus HPV can be spread through shaving.

Filiform warts verruca filiformis Filiform warts are long and slender in appearance, often developing on the neck or face. Periungual warts Periungual warts develop under and around the fingernails or toenails. Verrucas are more likely to be painful — like standing on a needle. You can buy creams, plasters and sprays from pharmacies to treat warts and verrucas. These treatments can take up to 3 months to complete, may irritate your skin and do not always work.

You should not use these treatments on your face. Genital warts can be treated at a sexual health or GUM clinic. Find your nearest sexual health service.