Warts

Warts are skin growths that are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus can enter the body through the skin. Warts look like small, grainy bumps that are rough to the touch. Most warts are flesh-colored, tan, pink, or white. Warts sometimes contain small black dots that are tiny, clotted blood vessels.

In most cases, common warts appear on the fingers, near the fingernails, or on the hands. Warts also can appear on other areas of the body. These include warts on the soles of the feet (called Plantar warts), genital warts (usually transmitted by having sexual contact), and flat warts (generally on the face).

Warts are caused through direct contact with HPV, which is contagious. The virus causes skin to grow faster than usual. HPV may spread by person-to-person contact or through direct contact with an object used by a person with the virus. The virus that causes warts also can spread to other places on the body of the person with warts.