Why Do Warts Develop, How Do They Spread and When Do They Need Treatment?

DHAKA:

A small, hard or rough lump appearing on the skin is often dismissed as a harmless wart. But what is commonly known as a wart is, in many cases, a viral skin infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Most common warts are harmless and may disappear on their own over time. However, they are contagious and can spread to other parts of the body or, in some cases, to other people. Warts that develop on the soles of the feet can also become painful because of pressure while walking.

Understanding how warts develop, how they spread and when medical attention is appropriate can help prevent unnecessary complications and inappropriate self-treatment.

What Causes Warts?

Warts develop when certain types of HPV infect the outer layer of the skin. The virus can enter through tiny cuts, cracks or other minor breaks in the skin and cause abnormal growth of skin cells.

Coming into contact with HPV does not necessarily mean that a person will develop a wart. The likelihood of infection and the body's immune response can vary from person to person.

Once established, the infection can produce a small, raised growth that may feel firm or have a rough surface.

How Do Warts Spread?

Common warts are contagious.

The virus can spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with a wart. It may also be transmitted indirectly when people share personal items such as towels, razors or other objects that have come into contact with infected skin.

Warts can also spread from one part of a person's body to another. Repeatedly touching, scratching, biting or rubbing a wart can potentially transfer the virus to nearby areas of damaged or vulnerable skin.

For that reason, repeatedly picking at a wart is best avoided.

Different Types of Warts

Warts can vary in appearance and location. Several common types are recognised by dermatologists.

Common Warts

These typically appear on the hands, fingers, around the fingernails and on the elbows. They are generally firm and have a rough or uneven surface.

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts develop on the soles of the feet. Because body weight places pressure on them while walking, they can grow inward and become uncomfortable or painful.

Small dark spots may sometimes be visible within the wart.

Flat Warts

Flat warts are usually smaller, smoother and flatter than common warts. They can appear on the face, hands or legs, and multiple lesions may develop at the same time.

Filiform Warts

These are narrow, thread-like growths that commonly appear around the face, particularly near areas such as the mouth, nose or eyes.

Because of their location, they can be particularly noticeable.

Genital Warts

Genital warts develop on or around the genital area and are caused by particular types of HPV. They are generally transmitted through sexual contact and are considered a manifestation of a sexually transmitted infection.

A new growth in the genital area should not automatically be assumed to be a wart. Medical assessment is important because other conditions can produce similar-looking lesions.

How Can You Tell If a Growth Is a Wart?

A typical wart may appear as a firm or fleshy raised growth with a rough surface. Plantar warts can sometimes contain tiny dark spots.

However, not every skin lump is a wart. A number of other skin conditions can resemble warts, making professional assessment important when the appearance is unusual or uncertain.

Particular attention should be paid to a growth that changes rapidly, becomes painful, bleeds or develops an unusual colour or shape.

Do All Warts Require Treatment?

Not necessarily.

Many common warts eventually disappear without treatment, sometimes taking several months or even years. As a result, immediate treatment is not always necessary.

Treatment may nevertheless be considered when a wart causes pain, spreads to other parts of the body, repeatedly becomes irritated or causes significant cosmetic concern.

The appropriate treatment depends on factors such as the wart's location, size, number and appearance, as well as the person's age and overall circumstances. A dermatologist can determine whether treatment is necessary and which approach is appropriate.

What Should You Avoid Doing?

Attempts to remove warts at home can sometimes cause more harm than the wart itself.

People should avoid cutting a wart with a blade, tying it tightly with thread or applying potentially harmful substances such as lime, chemicals or other irritating compounds.

Such methods can cause bleeding, burns, infection and permanent scarring.

Repeatedly scratching, biting or rubbing a wart should also be avoided because it may irritate the skin and potentially contribute to spreading the infection.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Medical advice is particularly important when:

• a wart grows rapidly or changes significantly in appearance;

• several new growths appear within a short period;

• the lesion begins to bleed;

• it causes persistent pain or discomfort;

• a wart on the foot interferes with walking;

• a growth develops around the eyes, face or genital area;

• it is unclear whether the growth is actually a wart; or

• a suspected wart does not improve despite appropriate treatment.

A dermatologist can examine the lesion and determine whether it is a wart or another type of skin condition.

Prevention and Everyday Precautions

Because warts can spread through contact, simple precautions can help reduce the risk of transmission.

Avoid unnecessary touching or picking of warts, keep personal items such as towels and razors for individual use, and avoid sharing objects that may have come into contact with affected skin.

Good skin care is also important. Protecting cuts and cracks from exposure can reduce opportunities for viruses to enter damaged skin.

A Common Problem That Still Deserves Attention

For most people, common warts are not a serious health threat and may eventually disappear without treatment. But their ability to spread means they should not simply be ignored when they become persistent, painful or widespread.

The most important precaution is to avoid assuming that every unusual skin growth is a wart. Changes in size, colour, shape, bleeding or persistent pain warrant professional assessment.

Rather than cutting, burning or treating a suspicious growth with unproven home remedies, seeking advice from a qualified dermatologist can help ensure that the condition is correctly identified and treated safely.

In most cases, warts are manageable—but recognising what is actually a wart, preventing its spread and knowing when to seek medical care are the keys to dealing with the problem safely.