Warts Summary

• There are many different kinds of warts, all of which are caused by different strains of the human papilloma virus.


• Infection with the strains of HPV that cause genital warts is highly likely for any adult who is sexually active.


• Because genital warts are passed backwards and forwards by sexual contact, it is essential that anyone who has warts of this type should always practice safe sex.


• However, because people can be HPV carriers without developing genital warts themselves, it is also essential that anyone who even suspects that they might have contracted HPV through sexual activity should seek medical advice.

Genital warts

This is the name that is applied to warts that men suffer in the groin or on the penis. Most commonly, genital warts come up in clusters and are clearly visible. Given that they are most commonly passed from one sexual partner to another during unprotected sex, the simple way of ensuring that warts of this nature do not occur is to avoid sexual encounters with those who have them.

As suggested previously, it is possible for genital warts to infect both sexes, with the female version being known as 'vaginal warts'.

A third variation is anal warts which are small clusters of the same warts that appear around the anal hole which are once again sexually transmitted. However, in the same way that vaginal warts may not be visible if they have infected the cervix, so anal warts may be invisible if they are only present inside the anus.

Another important consideration is that genital, vaginal or anal warts do not have to be visible for any individual to be a carrier of the HPV virus. Hence, it is possible that you could be infected by someone who has no outward signs of infection if you are not practicing safe sex (or abstaining).

According to the statistics reported by Wikipedia, it is believed that HPV is the most commonly contracted sexually transmitted disease in the USA. In fact, it is estimated that 75-80% of sexually active Americans will contract HPV at some time in their life while the Center for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that some 80% of US woman will have contracted at least one strain of HPV before they reach age 50.

Given all of these statistics and suggestions, there can be little doubt that the chances of being infected with one of the HPV strains that cause anogenital warts (between them, HPV strains 6 and 11 are responsible for 90% of cases) is remarkably high. There can therefore be no argument against the suggestion that anyone suffering from warts of this nature should do whatever is necessary to prevent them infecting other people.

However, it is important to understand that home remedies are not appropriate for the treatment of genital warts. While there are various products that are claimed to get rid of genital warts completely naturally (try here or here), it is still probably the best idea to seek medical attention if you have any reason to suspect that you have been infected with HPV.

Flat warts

Many people who have flat warts do not even know that they have them. This is because the most common flat warts that people are actually aware of are brown marks on the skin that they treat as 'sun spots' or even beauty spots!

Flat warts of this nature will generally appear as a result of too much exposure to the sun. Sunshine 'activates' the particular strain of human papilloma virus that causes flat warts to become active. In effect, the virus has been underneath the skin for some time and has remained 'dormant' but the necessary 'dose' of sunlight has triggered a reaction.

This particular variety of wart might be brown (as suggested), but is not necessarily so because you will sometimes see them in a variety of colors including white, pink and yellow. While many flat warts do not protrude above skin level (hence the name), some may do so and they can sometimes 'rise' to a slight point.

Generally speaking, flat warts are unlikely to cause pain or discomfort and can appear on the face, back of the neck, legs, arms and hands. They are very commonly seen in children who spend a lot of their time acquiring the cuts and scratches that are necessary for the HPV strain 3 or 10 to infect the body.

These are warts that appear around the nails of both the fingers and toes, causing roughening of the skin surface and some peeling. In order for warts to develop, there must be some existing damage to the skin around the nail, including the situation where shards of the nail break off at the sides, where the skin is damaged at the base of the nail or where the nails have been cut too short.

Warts of this type appear raised and uneven, plus they can cause damage to the nail itself by separating it from the skin or causing the nail to partially detach.

If the wart spreads under the nail, the pressure generated by the growth of the wart can cause considerable pain and in a worst-case scenario, if the wart causes damage to the nail matrix, a deformed nail structure could be the final result.

It is generally suggested that periungual warts can be more difficult than most other types to get rid of, and they will often be accompanied by unpleasant symptoms such as itching (very commonly) or pain (less so).

Whether it is itching or pain, both of these symptoms would make it extremely likely that anyone suffering from periungual or subungual warts would definitely want to do something to improve their condition as quickly as possible.

These are warts that appear around the nails of both the fingers and toes, causing roughening of the skin surface and some peeling. In order for warts to develop, there must be some existing damage to the skin around the nail, including the situation where shards of the nail break off at the sides, where the skin is damaged at the base of the nail or where the nails have been cut too short.

Warts of this type appear raised and uneven, plus they can cause damage to the nail itself by separating it from the skin or causing the nail to partially detach. If the wart spreads under the nail, the pressure generated by the growth of the wart can cause considerable pain and in a worst-case scenario, if the wart causes damage to the nail matrix, a deformed nail structure could be the final result. It is generally suggested that periungual warts can be more difficult than most other types to get rid of, and they will often be accompanied by unpleasant symptoms such as itching (very commonly) or pain (less so).

Whether it is itching or pain, both of these symptoms would make it extremely likely that anyone suffering from periungual or subungual warts would definitely want to do something to improve their condition as quickly as possible.

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Periungual or subungual warts

These are warts that appear around the nails of both the fingers and toes, causing roughening of the skin surface and some peeling. In order for warts to develop, there must be some existing damage to the skin around the nail, including the situation where shards of the nail break off at the sides, where the skin is damaged at the base of the nail or where the nails have been cut too short.

Warts of this type appear raised and uneven, plus they can cause damage to the nail itself by separating it from the skin or causing the nail to partially detach.

If the wart spreads under the nail, the pressure generated by the growth of the wart can cause considerable pain and in a worst-case scenario, if the wart causes damage to the nail matrix, a deformed nail structure could be the final result.

It is generally suggested that periungual warts can be more difficult than most other types to get rid of, and they will often be accompanied by unpleasant symptoms such as itching (very commonly) or pain (less so).

Whether it is itching or pain, both of these symptoms would make it extremely likely that anyone suffering from periungual or subungual warts would definitely want to do something to improve their condition as quickly as possible.

These are warts that appear around the nails of both the fingers and toes, causing roughening of the skin surface and some peeling. In order for warts to develop, there must be some existing damage to the skin around the nail, including the situation where shards of the nail break off at the sides, where the skin is damaged at the base of the nail or where the nails have been cut too short.

Warts of this type appear raised and uneven, plus they can cause damage to the nail itself by separating it from the skin or causing the nail to partially detach. If the wart spreads under the nail, the pressure generated by the growth of the wart can cause considerable pain and in a worst-case scenario, if the wart causes damage to the nail matrix, a deformed nail structure could be the final result. It is generally suggested that periungual warts can be more difficult than most other types to get rid of, and they will often be accompanied by unpleasant symptoms such as itching (very commonly) or pain (less so).

Whether it is itching or pain, both of these symptoms would make it extremely likely that anyone suffering from periungual or subungual warts would definitely want to do something to improve their condition as quickly as possible.

Plantar warts

Plantar warts (commonly known as a verruca) are typically found on the soles of the feet, especially at pressure points such as on the heels or balls of the feet. While these warts are not particularly dangerous, they can be very painful because of the fact that they grow inwards.

Plantar warts can often be mistaken for corns or calluses, but they are recognizable because they are generally flesh colored growths that are hard, flat and have very clearly defined boundaries.

Under normal circumstances, plantar warts will show the small black dots caused by broken blood vessel ends which would give you a further indication that you have plantar warts, rather than corns or calluses.

Because they are generally found at pressure points on the soles of the feet, these warts can be extremely painful. Consequently, as children in particular are very prone to plantar warts, it is often the case that the warts mean they can hardly walk at all.

Compared to many other types of wart, plantar warts are not especially contagious, but the particular strain of HPV that causes them thrives in moist, warm conditions like those that would be found in locker rooms or public swimming pools.

It is for this reason that plantar warts are very common in youngsters who use public swimming pools on a regular basis.

Extended time in the water softens the soles of their feet, the abrasive edge of the pool cuts or scratches their feet, and finally they enter the communal changing area. In these circumstances, it is hardly any wonder that so many children who enjoy swimming end up with warts almost every time they go to the public pool.

It is possible for plantar warts to disappear entirely naturally, but it is far more likely that they will spread if left untreated. For this reason, it is always best to treat plantar warts as soon after discovery as possible, because if they are left untreated, they can grow to an inch or more.

Furthermore, because they shed infectious cells all over the sole of the foot very quickly, it does not take long for a community of plantar warts to develop if the initial infection is not quickly dealt with.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that plantar warts can be extremely painful, so there is no question but that the wart has to be dealt with immediately. Although there is a chance that it might go away on its own (depending on the strength of your immune system), it is pretty unlikely, and who wants to wait while they are in pain?

Most common type of warts

Common or classic warts are most commonly found on the hands and feet, but they can also develop in other areas of the body such as the knees or elbows. Typically, the uppermost surface of a common wart will be raised above the surrounding skin and will present a mosaic or cauliflower like appearance.

Generally speaking, common warts are not painful nor do they present any particular danger to the sufferer. Nevertheless, most people would consider these warts to be unpleasant and unsightly, meaning that they want to get rid of common warts if at all possible:

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HPV types and associated diseases

Most of the virus strains shown are harmless, but there are a few of the strains which are mentioned which are generally considered to pose a serious health risk:

From HPV-1 to HPV-45, portion of it causes war. And to present some perspective on how likely it is that cervical cancer could result from an HPV infection, this chart gives a clear indication of how many cancer cases are believed to be caused by HPV infection on an annual basis:

As you can see, it is suggested that almost all cervical cancer cases result from HPV infection. Hence, it is absolutely essential that any woman who has any reason to suspect that she might have contracted warts through unsafe sex with an infected partner must seek professional medical attention as soon as possible.

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