OVERVIEW

Warts are small, harmless growths that can appear on your skin. They’re usually round and flesh-colored, and they can feel rough or smooth. Warts are caused by a viral infection in the top layer of your skin. The virus that causes warts is called human papillomavirus (HPV).

Most warts go away on their own within a few months. But some warts can last for years, and some can come back after they’ve gone away. There are a number of treatments that can help get rid of warts.

Warts can be removed with over-the-counter treatments, prescription medications, or cryotherapy (freezing).

SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of warts may include the following:

• Asymptomatic fleshy or rough bumps, though they can be painful if they develop on pressure points.

CAUSES

Common warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus is quite common and has more than 150 types, but only a few cause warts on your hands. Some strains of HPV are acquired through sexual contact. Most forms, however, are spread by casual skin contact or through shared objects, such as towels or washcloths. The virus usually spreads through breaks in your skin, such as a hangnail or a scrape. Biting your nails also can cause warts to spread on your fingertips and around your nails.

TREATMENT

Available treatments we offer, include but are not limited to:

• Topicals to thin out overgrown skin cells (Salicylic Acid or Fluorouracil).
• Topical immunomodulators (Imiquimod).
• Condylox topical therapy.