Warts

A wart (Plane juvenile warts; Periungual warts; Subungual warts; Plantar warts; Verruca; Verrucae planae juveniles; Filiform warts; Verruca vulgaris) is commonly a small, rough tumor. Warts are usually painless growths typically on the hands and feet, that can resemble a cauliflower or a solid blister. Warts are quite common, and are caused by a viral infection, specifically by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are contagious when in contact with the skin of a infected person. Warts can be disfiguring and embarrassing, they can be small or large and occasionally they itch or hurt (particularly on the feet).

It is also quite possible to get warts from using towels or other items that were used by a person who has warts. Warts on the genitals are highly contagious and can be passed on to another person during oral, vaginal or anal sex. It is important to have protected sex if you or your partner has warts on the genital area. When the virus (HPV) is contracted, it can either cause a wart or many warts to develop.

Warts can grow on the cervix (inside the vagina), and a female may not even know she has them. She may spread the infection to her sexual partner without knowing it. They typically vanish after a few months but can last for years and can reoccur. A few papilloma viruses are known to cause cervical cancer.