From the Guidelines
A common wart typically appears as a small, rough, grainy growth on the skin, most often found on hands, feet, and around and under the nails, and is usually painless and multiple in number. These warts are typically benign epithelial proliferations of the skin and are caused by human papillomaviruses 1. Common warts can range in size and may appear alone or in clusters, and are often found on any epithelial surface. The surface of a common wart can feel rough when touched, similar to sandpaper. While usually harmless, warts can be unsightly and occasionally cause discomfort or pain, especially if they develop on pressure points.
- Key characteristics of common warts include:
- Typically painless
- Multiple in number
- Found on hands, feet, and around and under the nails
- Caused by human papillomaviruses
- Can range in size and appear alone or in clusters
- Surface feels rough when touched, similar to sandpaper It's worth noting that common warts are distinct from other types of warts, such as plantar warts, which are found on the soles of the feet and can be more painful due to pressure 1. However, the description of common warts provided by the most recent and highest quality study 1 is the most relevant and accurate.
From the Research
Description of Common Warts
- Common warts are skin lesions caused by human papillomavirus infection 2
- They are highly prevalent and can persist for long periods of time by evading the host immune system 3
- Common warts can appear as single or multiple lesions, and can be found on various parts of the body, including the hands, feet, and face
Characteristics of Common Warts
- Common warts are typically small, rough, and hard growths on the skin 4
- They can be painful, especially if they are located on the soles of the feet or the palms of the hands
- Common warts can be treated with various methods, including cryotherapy, salicylic acid, and imiquimod 2, 4, 3
Treatment Options for Common Warts
- Cryotherapy is a common treatment for common warts, and involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen 4, 5
- Salicylic acid is another treatment option, and can be applied topically to the wart 2, 4
- Imiquimod is an immune response modifier that can be used to treat common warts, either alone or in combination with other treatments 6, 3, 5