Do warts or corns have seeds?

Warts and Corns Do Not Have Seeds

Neither warts nor corns contain "seeds"—this is a common misconception. What patients often perceive as "seeds" in warts are actually thrombosed capillary loops (small blood vessels) that appear as dark dots when the wart is pared down. 1, 2

What Patients Mistake for "Seeds"

In Warts

• The dark dots visible in warts are thrombosed capillary loops of elongated dermal papillae, not seeds. 1, 2
• When you pare down a wart with a scalpel, these capillary loops become exposed and produce pinpoint bleeding—this is pathognomonic (uniquely characteristic) for warts. 1, 2
• Warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of keratinocytes, resulting in epidermal thickening and hyperkeratinization. 1, 3
• The visible dark specks are simply blood vessels that have clotted, creating the illusion of "seeds" to the untrained eye. 2

In Corns

• Corns have no seeds or blood vessels—they consist entirely of compacted dead skin (keratin). 2
• Paring down a corn reveals a translucent central core without any bleeding. 2
• This central core is simply concentrated hyperkeratotic tissue formed in response to chronic pressure or friction, not a "seed." 2, 4

How to Definitively Distinguish Them

The British Journal of Dermatology recommends paring down the lesion with a scalpel as the definitive diagnostic test:

Paring Technique

• Soak the lesion in warm water first to soften the tissue. 2
• Carefully pare down superficial layers with a scalpel blade. 2
• Inspect closely for the following findings: 2

Diagnostic Findings After Paring

For Warts:

• Pinpoint bleeding from exposed capillary loops (the "seeds" patients describe). 1, 2
• Disrupted or absent skin lines across the lesion. 2
• Dark dots visible before bleeding occurs (thrombosed capillaries). 2

For Corns:

• Translucent central core without any bleeding. 2
• Preserved skin lines may be visible. 2
• Homogenous appearance of compacted keratin. 2

Clinical Pitfall to Avoid

Never tell patients that warts have "seeds" that need to be removed. This perpetuates the misconception and may lead to inappropriate self-treatment attempts. The dark dots are vascular structures, not reproductive elements that can spread the infection. 1, 2 The actual HPV infection exists at the microscopic level in keratinocytes, not in visible "seeds." 1, 3