Warts are benign growths that develop on the skin or mucous membrane. They are caused by an infection of the human papillomavirus (HPV). As there are over 80 strains of HPV, there are similarly different types of warts. They are contagious and can thus spread to other parts of the body that the patient touches.
What Are the Different Types of Warts?
Common warts are the best-known and most common. They are typically dome-shaped and have a rough surface. They are most likely to develop on the hands, knees, or elbows.
Plantar warts develop on the feet and look like thick calluses. Flat warts are small and smooth and tend to appear in clusters. Filiform warts tend to develop on the face; they grow quickly and resemble threads or skin tags.
Genital warts should always be examined by a doctor. Unlike other warts, they can sometimes become cancerous.
How Are Warts Treated?
Warts can be treated through laser therapy, surgery, cryotherapy, or topical medications. The dermatologist will choose a treatment depending on the type of wart and its location.
What Is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a common outpatient treatment, and it involves using an extremely cold substance like liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart. The frozen wart will develop a blister that will fall off within a week. Depending on the size of the wart, most patients need one to four treatments.
