What are warts?

Warts are growths that appear on the skin, often in small clusters. They are painless but cause aesthetic concerns for people who have them. Warts are the result of the top layer of skin growing rapidly and are a viral infection.

Symptoms:

Warts can develop quite quickly and can sometimes be large, rough growths forming on the skin, but can also be smooth and flat. There is generally no pain associated with the appearance of warts.

Causes of warts:

Warts are caused by certain types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The virus is transmitted to the outer layer of the skin and the infection can spread easily, especially where the skin is broken.

How are warts diagnosed?

Warts are easily diagnosed by a doctor or dermatologist and generally will not require any testing to diagnose.

How are they treated?

Over the counter drops can be purchased that are applied to the wart itself, which is designed to break down the wart itself. Sometimes, freezing methods can be used to kill the wart and your doctor will advise whether this is appropriate.